The Sun. — London, England, 1870-12-30 00:00:00

MOSES and WINTER OVERCOATS, 19s, to £5. B OY'S OVERCOATS, 7s. 6d. to 455. MOSES and ;ON beg to remind the public E• that the cheapness of an article depends entirely on its quality, and they venture to say that their prices wid compare favourably with those of any other i L.*: in Jeatgland.- MUSES and SON'S s OXFORD COATS, 17,9. to 50s. CAMBRIDGE COATS, 19s. to 50s. liERTOII JACKETS, 15s. to 425. SUTHERLAND JACKETS, 19s. 6d. to 50s. B USINESS SUITS, 28s. to GOB. A o l i O s S eif S and SON'S easy and accurate system E. faultless fit. to execute orders by post with the guaranteeca3oufrae II 0 DES and SON'S F ROCK CO ANS, 245. to 635. DRESS COATS, 251. to 603. All ORNING TROUSERS, Hs. 6d. to 21s. DRESS TROUSERS, 12s. 6d. to 265. IVIOURNING SUITS, 28s. to £5. FMOSES and SON invit, special attention J • to their large stock of • GEN LUMEN'S DRESSING ROBES, at iSs. to 20 Guineas ; the assortment is unequalled for variety of materials and designs, and neatness and elegance of finish. , MOSES and SON'S TOYS' CLOTHING : KNICKERBOCKER, SUL! S, 9s. 6d. to 40s. ETON SUITS, lbs. to 40s. BR. GHTON SUITS, 18s. to 48s. D RESS SUITS, 255. to 635. MOSES-and SON supply every description of clothing, ready-made, or made to measure, for all ages, all occasions, and all classes : also Hosiery and Drapery, Hats and Caps, Boots and Shoec, and complete outfits for all climates. All Goods marked in Plain Figures. Any tide exchanged if not worn or Injured. List of Prices, with Rules for Self-measure, Patterns, and Fashion-sheet, gratis and post-free. E. MOSES and SON'S Establishments are closed every Friday evening at sunset till Saturday evening at sunset, when busi ess is resumed until Eleven o'clock. The following are the only addresses of E. MOSES and SON LONDON. CORNER of MINORIES and ALDGATE. NEW OXFORD-STREET, CORNER OF HART-STREET. CORNER of TOTTENHAM-COURT-ROAD and EUSTON-ROAD. COUNTRY BRANCH. RADFORD. YORKSHIRE. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LINE.- Sole Lessee and Manager, F. B. Chatterton.—Morning Performances every Wednesday and Saturday, until Saturday, February 25th, inclusive. THIS EVENING, (Friday), will be produced the Drury Lane Grand Comic CHRISTMAS ANNUAL, written by E. L. Blanchard, entitled the DRAGON OF WANTLEY t and Harlequin Old Mother Shipton ! with New 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, Webber, F. Wright, Master Russsll ; Misses Victoria Yokes, Jessie Yokes, Rosina Vokes, Harriet Coveney, M. A. Basquerville, A. Hamilton, Hall, Florence Harvey, De Grey, Ross, Timbrell, Elphinstone, Har court, Lee, Leslie, Mills, White, Burpitt, Rivers, Russell, Hastings. The Harlequinade will include the3e 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. Slowman, Imitator of Birds, &c. Mr. 11. Collard, the Pocket Sims Reeves. Master Dassie, the Chickaleary Boy. E. D. Lyon, the Short Footman. Lawson and Garton, the French Pierrots. Master 11. Rawlings, Clog Dancer. La Patrie, the Baby Velocipedist. The Masks and 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, ctc., arranged by • Mr. John Cormack and Messrs. Evans and Harvey. Doors open at Half-past Six ; commence at Seven. Box-office open from Ten till Five daily. Private Boxes, 1,2, 3,4, and 5 Guineas. Stalls, 7s. Dress Circle, ss. First Circle, 4s. Balcony, 3s. Pit, 2s. Lower Gallery, Is. Upper Gallery, 6d. rrHE DRAGON OF WANTLEY ; or, Harlequin L Old Mother Shipton, will be produced To-night (Friday) December 29, and positively withdrawn on Saturday, February 25. 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. 4ORNING PERFORMANCES of the Grand 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. rpHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.-Thirty 1_ sixth Night of a NEW FAIRY COMEDY. THIS EVENING (Friday) at Seven, O'Keefe's Musical Piece, THE POOR SOLDIER, with selections from the original music. Patrick, Miss Fanny Wright, Norah, Miss Fanny Gwynne. After which, at a quarter to Eight o'clock, a new Fairy Comedy, in Three Acts, entitled THE PALACE OF TRUTH. Characters by Mr. Buckstone, Messrs. Kendal, Everill, Clark, Braid, Rogers, Mesdames Robertson, Chippendale, C. Hill, Fanny Wright, and Fanny Gwynne. Act I. Garden of King Phanor's Country House. Act 11. Interior of the Palace of Truth. Act 111. The Avenue of Palms. Followed by UNCLE'S WILL. Mr. Kendal and Miss Robertson. Concluding with the Farce of THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM. Box ()Mee open daily from 10 till 5. ADELPHI THEATRE ROYAL.—SoIo Pro prietor, Mr. BENJAMIN WEBSTER ; Managers, Mr. B. WEasTER and Mr. F. B. CHATTERTON.—THIS EVENING, at 7, a new Drama, in One Act. SMOKE. Mr. Billington, Mr. Ashley, Mr. C. H. Stephenson, Mrs. Billington, 'and Miss Furtado. After which, THE MISTLETOE BOUGH. Mrs. A. Mellon, Miss Elise Holt, Mademoiselle Debreaux, Camilla Dubois, Miss I ellew, Miss M. Cooper, and Miss Bella Moore, Ms. Brittain Wright, Mr. John Rouse, and Mr. Odell ; And THE MILLINERS HOLIDAY, Mr. John Rouse and Miss emma Barnett. OYAL .ST ,AND THEATRE. .1 . 1, Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. SIVANBOROUGH This Evening, at 7, ON AND OFF, LIVING AT EASE . M essrs . Crouch, Turner; Mesdames Ada Swanborourrh. E. Button , and F. Hug hes. CCCUR-DE- LION , Messrs. Terry, Paulton Fenton, and Turner ; Mesdames Amy Sheridan, E. Button ; Santley, Lee, Goodall, &c. VAUDEVILLE THEATRE, STRAND.- Lessees— Messrs. 11. J. Montague, D. James, and T. Thorne. THIS EVENING, at 7 CHISELLING, Mr. David James; after which TWO ROSES (179th night), by James Albery. Conclude with ELIZABETH. Supported by Messrs. 11. J. Montague, David James. and T. Thorne, &c. ; Mesdames AmyFawsitt, A. Newton, and Nelly Power, &c. OPERA COMIQUE, 29P ) Strand.—Lessees, A.f Messrs. 11. Leslie, C. Steele,W. Nc:ton.—This most elegant Theatre in London. Great success of FOUND DROWNED; or, Our Mutual Friend. Every Evening, at 7.45, preceded by BLUE DEVILS, at 7. Conclude with NOTHING TO NURSE. FOUND DROWNED.—Messrs. G. F. Rowe, S. Emery, John Nelson, W. M'lntyre, Charles Warner, Edwin Stanley, Griacille, and Bell ; Mesdames Ernstone, Emily Pitt, Holston, Minders, Tilly Earl, and Miss Rose Lisle. OO PERA.COMI Q UE.-- PLASIIWATER MILL LOCK. The Great Sensation Scene in FOUND DROWNED received nightly with tremendous demonstrations of applause. Prices, from 6d. to 7s. Gd. Open at 6.30 ; commence at 7. --1„ T. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Lossee and .1 Manageress, Mrs. JOHN WOOD. —LAST NIGHTS OF 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 'trough, Miss Turner. and Mrs. John Wood.—Doors open at 6.30. At 7, TO OBLIGE BENSON. At 7.45, FERNANDE. To con clude with the Great Burlesque, BOMBASTES FURIOSO.—Box. office 11 to 6. No fees. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee, Ben jamin Webster. Managers, B. Webster and F. B. Chat terton.—THlS EVENING will be performed A CHRISTMAS CAROL; or Past, Present and Future, dramatised with the esp sanction of the late Charles Dickens, by Mr. Edward Stirling. After which will be produced an entirely new grand spectacular extravaganza, entitled LITTLE GIL BLAS ; and How he Played the Spanish D( Deuce. Written by H. B. Farnie. The, music selected and arrangeld by Frank Musgrave ; the ballet, groupings, etc., by J. Milano ; the new and magnificent scenery by Mr. F. Lloyds and assistants ; the costumes designed after drawings by Gustave Dore. To conclude with HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr. J. Clayton.—Box Office open from Ten till Five. GLOBE THEATRE.—Manageress, Miss kllevne. Great Attraction for Christmas.—New Burlesque fy F. C. Burnand. New Company. Grand Ballet, in which the re nowned Madame Colonna and Troupe will appear. This and EVERY EVENING until further notice, at 7, BOARD AND RESIDENCE. At 7.30, DELICATE GROUND. Messrs. Walter Lacy, W. H. Vernon (his first appearance under the present management), and Miss Ada Cavendish. To be followed by a Grand New Fairy Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled THE WHITE CAT or Prince Lardi-Dardi and the Radiant Rosetta. Gorgeous scenery by Messrs. Fenton, Johnson, and assistants. Superb costumes and appointments. Mr. E. Danvers, Mes dames Emily Fowler, Nelly Nisbett, Rose Roberts, and Miss Montgomery (their first appearance at this theatre), in addi tion to the regular Company. To conclude with a popular farce. ROYALTY THEATRE, DEAN-STREET, SOHO. 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 Grand Burlesque WHITTINGTON, JUNIOR, AND HIS SENSATION CAT. Concluding with THE RENDEZVOUS. Box Office open from Eleven till Five. No Fees for Booking. ASTLEY'S.—Lessee and Manager, Mr. JOHN BAUM.—EVERY EVENING, Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TITTLEMOUSE, and the Eleven Dancing Princesses ; or, Deedle Deedle Dumplin and the Silver Frog. Messrs. Atkins, Beckett, Russell, Smithe, and Simpson ; Misses Osborne, Armstrong, Hobson, and Madlle. Maury.—Private Boxes, 31s. 6d. to 525. 6d. Stalls, 55. Dress Circle 3s. ; Boxes, 25.; Upper Boxes, ls. 6d. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, ad. Box Office open from 11 to 4. No charge for booking. MORNING PERFORMANCES every WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY at 2. Children half-price to Stalls, Dress Circle, and Boxes. CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION of WAXWORK ‘,.) now OPEN at 369, Oxford-street, W. (nearly opposite the Princess's Theatre). Historical Tableaux. Moveable Figures, a splendid German Christmas Tree.—Admission, ls., Children half-price. JAPANESE ROYAL TYCOON TROUPE e/ Daily at Three and Eight. PALAIS ROYAL, Argyle-street, Oxford Circus, W. GORILLA CHIEF, HASSAN.—Astounding performances on the " corde elastique," ac7ompanied by Mulabrix, the Oriental Wizard. Daily, at Three and Eight. Fashionable Levees Daily, from Twelve till Two. Admission, 35., 25., and ls. Children half-price.—PALAIS ROYAL, Argyle street, Oxford Circus, W. BLUE and HAIRLESS HORSE, recently exhi bited at Osborne House by command of Her Majesty, Exhibiting HOURLY, from 12 noon till 10 p.m. Admission Is., Children 6d.—PALAIS ROYAL, Argyll-street, Oxford-circus, W. EGYPTIAN HALL, PICCADILLY. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. Every day at 2.30 and 8 p.m. POOLE and YOUNG, the Proprietors and Exhibitors of the Overland Mail, by Telbin and Grieve, Albert Smith's Egyptian Hall Panoramas, beg to announce a new subjest— THE PRESENT WAR Between the French and Prussians. Each Picture on 600 square feet of canvas, and painted by England's greatest scenic artists. THE NATIONAL MUSIC. THE FINEST QUARTETTE IN EUROPE. PO..;LE AND YOUNG, THE EGYPTIAN HALL ONLY. THE WAR.—POOLE AND YOUNG'S PANORAMA, EGYPTIAN NALL. Prices to Poole and Young's Panorama of the War, is., 25., ls. MADAME 'IUSSAUD'S EXHIBITTON, Baker street.—On view Portrait Models of the es:Emperor and Empress of the French, and Prince Imperial. Also, Marshal Bazaine, Marshal Canrobert, General Trochu, &c., &c. &c.— Admission, ls. ; Children under Ten Years of age, 6d. Extra Rooms, 6d. extra. Open from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. NT ADA ME TUSSA UD'S 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 3,loltke.—Admission Is. ; children under ten years of age, 6d. Extra rooms, Ed. extra. — Open from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. PARTRIDGE AND COOPER, MANUFACTURING STATIONERS, 192, FLEET-STREET (CORNER OF CRANCERY-LINE), LONDON (E.O ME PUBLIC DUPPLIED AT WHOLESALE PRICES, AND JARRIAGE PAID to the COUFiTRY ON ORDERS OVER 20s Per ream. s. d. Fine Cream Laid Note; a cheap paper... ... 0 Superfine Cream Laid Note; much approved Superfine Thick Cream Laid Note ;especially recommended 5 6 Extra Superfine Double Thick Cream Laid Note .... 7 0 Straw Paper, "Patent;" adapted for rapid writing . 2 6 Large Commercial Note Papers.... 35., 4s. Is., and 6 0 Foolscap Papers, blue or cream.......... 105. 6d., 12s. 6d., and 14 6 Outsides Foolscap .. 6 6 Letter Paper for scribbling plain. 4a.; ruled ditto, 4 6 Tinted Lined Note ... five quires for is. 6d., or 5 6 New Vellum Wove "Club House" :vote, five quires for 2s. 6(1. Superfine ()ream or Bins Envelopes, <Le Bd, Is 6d. & 6a 6d .. Large Blue Wove Commercial Envelopes, 4s 6cl! per 1,000 Cheap Buff Colour, for circulars, &c., 3s. COLOUR STAMPING (Relief) reduced to is. per;100 Polished steel dies sunk by the best artists in the trade at about half the prices charged by the retail houses. An ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, containing full descrip tion, with prices of Account Books, Copying Presses, Inkstands, Stationery, Cabinets, Postage Scales, Despatch Boxes, Travelling Writing Oases. Desks. post free. Established 1841 TOHN GOSNE:LL and CO.'S CHERRY cp TOOTH PASTE is greatly superior to any tooth powder; gives the teeth a pearl whiteness, protects the enamel from Decay, and imparts a pleasant fragrance to tho breath. Price lb. 6d. Bed Bull Wharf, 93, Upper Thames-street, London. 111 E SUN, _LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 187 c. ou'. its importance as regards Vie question of peace. Germany can no longer refuse to treat with it, for a Government which is capable of treating of a ques- don of European importance must certainly be qualified to discuss the question of peace or war for its own individual country. It is also believed in diplomatic circles in London that the neutral Powers w:11 seize the first opportunity that presents itself daring the deliberations to make a fresh effort in favour of peace. NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE. A GUA AMARELLA. restores the Human Hair to its pristine hue, no matter at what age. JNO. GC/SNELL 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 58., 75. 6d., and 15s. each, includ ing brush. Red Bull Wharf, Angel-passage, 93, Upper Thames-street, Lon don, E.C. LIFEBOAT SERVIOES.—During the Storms of the past eleven months the National Lifeboat Institution has contributed to the saving of 918 lives from various ship wrecks and 24 vessels from destruction. It has also expended £23,287 in the same period on its Lifeboat Establishments, in addition to granting £2,023 for rewards. The Institution has now 223 Lifeboat Stations under its management. Contributions are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by the London and Country bankers, and by the Secre tary, Richard Lewis, Esq., at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi, London. 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. THEATRES, AND AMUSEMENTS. DRURY LANE—RuIe Britannia. Dragon of Wantley. COVENT GARDEN—Lottery Ticket. Sleeping Beauty. ADELPHI—Smoke. Mistletoe Bough. HAYMARKET — The Poor Soldier. The Palace of Truth. Uncle's Will. The Spectre Bridegroom. VAnDEvILLF.--Chiselling. Two. Roses. Elizabeth, or the Invisible Armada. STRAND—On and Off. Lion Living at Ease. Coeur-de• ST. JAMES'S—To Oblige Benson. }'ernande. Botnbastes Fitrioso. OLYMPlC—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. QUEEN'S —Farce. Midsummer Night's Dream. GLOBE—Board and Residence. Delicate Ground. The White Cat. Rely on my Discretion. OPERA COMIQUE—Found Drowned. Nothing to Nurse. HOLBORN—The Married Bachelor. A Breach of Promise, Jezabel. PRINCE OF WALES'S. - Queen Stork. Ours. Locke, PRINCESS'S —A Christmas Carol. Little Gil Bias. He's a Lunatic. NATIONAL STANDARD—Farce. Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross. ASTLEY'S—Farce. Little Tom -Tittlemouse. SADLER'S WELLS—Farce. Sinbad the Sailor. SURREY—Farce. My Son Jaek. POLYTECHNIC — Professor Pepper's War Lecture. After• noun and Evening. EGYPTIAN HALL—Poole and Young's Panorama of the Franco-Prussian War. AMPHITHEATRE AND CIRCUS (Holborn)—Scenes in the Arena. ST. JAMES'S FlALL.—Christy Minstrels. Every evening. PAL.IS ROYAL—Professor Faber's _Calking Machine ALHAMBRA—Promenade Concert, MADAME TUSSAUD'S (Baker-street) —From 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. is.; extra rooms, 6d. • 44, rill jig, EARL GRANVILLE AND MR. OTWAY. • If the Italian green book is to be trusted, Earl Granville has been warmly recommending the Italian Government to be content wiet nominally taking the city of Rome. The " important question being re,olved" by the entry of the Italian troops, the noble earl suggests that the King of Italy should rest satisfied with the material capital, and not consider the ideal and historic reasons that may at first have actuated his Majesty. Mr. Otway also, it is stated, took it upon himself to insist, in a conversation with the Italian Minister, upon the necessity of postponing the transfer of the Italian capital from Florence. THE CANADIAN FISHERIES. President Grant's complaint about the unfriendly conduct of the Canadians in respect of the fisheries has made the colonists very angry. His conduct they urge, is not decent. If any special charge had been made in the fishery regulations, the threatening tone adopted in the Message might be excusable ; but why this bullying when not one vessel has been condemned that did not unquestionably violate the law ? Why not make a reasonable representation on the expediency of altering the law ? The Daily News' Toronto correspondent says : The truth is, however, that the regulations are not a bit more stringent than the experience 'of several years proved to be necessary. The long continued privilege of free fishing during the time the Treaty was in force, the existence of a licensing system which some respected and some did not, and the rather negligent guardianship of the coast by the British gunboats, whose visits were very infrequent, gave great encouragement to the reckless and not very law-abiding race of American fishermen to evade the regulations, or set them openly at defiance. They frequently robbed the Canadian nets, fished indiscrimi nately, fouled the spawning beds with offal, and even on shore, when they landed to dry and cure their fish, com mitted acts of violence and outrage. At length, in the spring of this year, the Government was compelled to act vigorously. ATTEMPTED REVOLT OF FRENCH PRISONERS. The plot concocted by sixty thousand French cap tive soldiers to overpower their guards and escape is just what might have been expected. The prisoners are very numerous, their guards cannot be very strong, and the ruin which would be inflicted upon the German army by any large number getting out and arming themselves is well calculated to fire the imagination of professional troops. The scheme, which was planned by the French in Cologne, Coblentz, and Mayence, was fixed for Christmas Day. They proposed to fall on their few guards at a given signal, disarm and kill them, and then, scattering fire and sword on their way, hasten to the French frontier, where they calcu lated on assistance, especially in Alsace. The mili tary and police authorities had, however, a timely warning, and on the 24th brought up considerab.e reinforcements of infantry and artillery. At Cologne 10,000 troops were posted in the barracks, ready to march out at tue first beat of the drum. No outbreak, however, was attempted. Amongst the Christmas presents " sent from France to these prisoners was a chest containing five six-barrelled revolvers and a dagger, concealed in articles of clothing. The French officers in Rhenish-Prussia are said to behave very badly. UNFORTUNATE EFFORTS. A pamphlet has been published in Germany for the purpose of influencing public opinion in the Fatherland in the Emperor's favour. It contains the usual story. On the 17th of July, it says, the Emperor and his Ministers unanimously decided in favour of a declaration which would have rendered peace possible, bit the same evening. the Ministers returned to St. Cloud and reversed their decision, M. 011ivier informing him that if that resolution were published they would be hooted and their carriages pelted with mud. The - Emperor-could have avoided the war at the expense of his popularity, by incurring the reproach that he was humble to the strong and arrogant to the weak, but "it was his duty," says the pamphlet, "to have been wiser than the nation, and to have avoided war, even at the cost of his Crown." This is the sort of tale we have been told. before, and shall he told again, for there will always be people who will believe it. The ascertained facts are that the dispute about the Hohenzollern can didature was entirely of the Government's own making ; that the blunt style in which the King of Prussia expressed himself touching the Emperor and the Empress did much to imme diately bring aboutthe war; and that the " enthu siasm" in different parts of France was got up by Imperial agents. THE ALANTIC CABLES. According to statements that reach us from America the prospects of Atlantic telegraphic commu nication are thought to be anything but satisfactory. There is the greatest apprehension that the high bat tery power necessary to force signals through the still existing French cable will eventually burn it out, and cause the stoppage of all communication. So great is the anxiety on this subject that a new telegraph line has been laid between Sandy Hook and New York harbour for the purpose of transmitting news from the inbound steamers from the moment the French cable may fail. There are, however, several new cable projects con templated, and we are informed that the recent dis asters to the existing cables have stimulated the efforts to make these projects realities. Just at pre sent the messages sent backwards anti forwards between America and Great Britain daily are neces sarily very few in number; the injury to commercial interests in consequence may be imagined. THE PATRIOTIC FUND. A report with respect to the administration of the Patriotic fund, and chewing the state of the fund on the 31st of December, 1869, has been issued by the Roynl Commissioners. The total sum expended, or professed to be expended, in the relief of the widows and orphans of our dead soldiers and sailors up to the present year was £1,059,236. In the future a new claim is to be made on this charitable fund of £B,OOO altogether. Tnis sum will be distributed for the welfare of all the orphans left by soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in the service of their country, in wars since the Russian war, other than the In dmn mutiny, for which a special fund has been provided. The Executive Committee in the present report recom- mend that these children should be cared for and educated by means of the Patriotic Fund, and consequently the sum mentioned will have to be withdrawn from it. The number of children main tained in boarding institutions at the end of the year was 670, inclusive of those in the Royal Victoria Asylum, but we are glad to have to add that the de mand for the daughters of soldims and sailors in suitable places of service is greater than can be met by those old enough to leave the asylums supported by the fund. The amount of the new contributions to the Patriotic Fund in 1869 was about £24, making the total amount coming due to the Commissioners at the end of the year, £1,469,742. TIIE IRISH CHURCH. mare Efrorls- are evidently being made to secure, for the Presbyterian branch at least of the Irish Church, an auspicious start under the new principles of the Church Act ou January Ist. A Belfast correspond ent informs-us that the convener of the sustentation fund in that city has declared to the clergy that the austentation committee wish an asaocia t io:1 for collecting monthly instalments to be formed in every congregation, and that OA(' system of "bringing" to the churches on the Lord's-day should be adopted as far as practicable. It saems that this system is carried out by the issue oienvelopes to the congregation, who, on their en tr,l ce into church on a subsequent Sunday, will be ex ec:ed to drop their subscriptions, enclosed in the n velopes, into the collecting boxes. The contribu tions to the Presbyterian Sustentation null in the past six months have amounted to over £13,000. REPUBLICANISM IN LONDON. Republicanism as a doctrine has never been very popular in this country, but, if rumour is to be believed, it is growing in favour, and is not confined to one class alone. No one has anything to say against her Majesty pers orally, cela va sans dire, but as a theory of the best means of governing a free people, the new school of thinkers uphold Republicanism, and would like to inaugurate it in England at the close of ;he present reign. Such politicians are to be 'ound inside as well as outside the clubs A London, and at a recent meeting of one of the literary societies a speaker set forth hii views very plainly. • The demonstrations in Tra al;tar-square•and at the French Ambassador's have othing in common with the more polished and elaborate Republicans, but they are regarded as clearing the way, and familiarising the traditionally loyal English mind with their new and startling theories. The speaker referred to declared that there were many who thought as he did, in circles where their presence was little suspected, and who would, wren the fitting time came, openly avow their principles. THE SMALLPDX EPIDEMIC. The fatality of smallpox was nearly three times as great last week in Liverpool as in London. There were throughout the whole of England 122 deaths from the disease in the seven days, and with the exception of one fatal case, each, in Hull and New castle, the deaths all occurred in London and Liverpool. We learn from the Registrar General's return that during the first five weeks of the current quarter the weekly average of deathe from smallpox in London was 20. In the succeeding six weeks the deaths averaged 49 per week ; last week the actual return was 82, being equivalent to an annual rate of 13 deaths to every 10,000 persons. It is long since so high a smallpox mortality has been recorded in the metropolis. THE WORKHOUSE AT CHRISTMAS. An inquest, which was lately held at Bethnal Green, afforded an instance of the hardships which are inflicted on the inmates of workhouses by the unnecessary strictness of the rules to which they are subjected. George Cecil was a Weaver, com pelled by old age and want of employment, to: enter Bethnal Green Workhouse. He was allowed to dine with his daughter on Christ mas Day, but oily obtained leave on condition that he should return by five o'clock. He became greatly excited during the course of the afternoon, and kept repeating "I shall be too late." When he found that it was twenty minutes to five he gave way to the greatest anxiety, rose from the table and hUrried down the road to the workhouse. The porter said that the deceased knocked at ten minutes past five. He appeared to be in a great hurry, and said he was late. The porter said, "Never mind," and the de ceased shortly afterwards fell dead. It was shown by the medical evidence that the poor man was suffering from disease of the heart, and his death had been accelerated by running and excitem - mt. A verdict was returned in accordance with the evidence. It seems strange that an exception should not have been made to the arbitrary rule of returning at five o'clock on such an occasion as Christmas Day. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. The Maories of New Zealand have just been set ting a very striking example of prudence to many older and more civilised, if not wiser, communities. It is well known that one of the greatest evils attending the settlement of Europeans among the aborigines is the introduction of spirit drinking, which possesses a terrible fascination for all such wild natures, at the same time that it produces exceptionally fatal consequences. The Europeans, whether passing traders, or settlers, have never been very scrupulous iu this point in any uncivilised country, whether American, African, Asiatic, Polynesian, or Aus tralasian. And the Maories, who are a singu larly intelligent people, are quite aware of their danger. A. large native meeting has been held in the Taupo country, at which the natives resolved to encourage the settlement of Europeans and the for mation of roads, for lack of which, say the Maories, there is neither work nor money, but they coupled this resolve with the condition that spirituous liquors should not be sent into their dis tricts. The o'ojection to spirituous liquors is a deep rooted feeling among the older chiefs, and. it is said to be one of the principal reasons why William Thompson has steadily refused to admit Europeans into Maori districts. The New Zealand Assembly have agreed that no spirits shall be sent into the newly opened districts, and it is to be hoped they will keep their word. GREAT FIRE IN NEW ZEALAND. The disasters which are making the latter half of 1870 memorable among ourselves have extended to the colonies. The New Zealand papers bring details of the terrible fire which occurred in the town of Lyttelton, in the province of Canterbury, on October 24th. Two-thirds of the town were laid in ruins, and a large number of families were rendered homeless. All the butchers' and bakers' shops were destroyed, so that food had to be sent in from the neighbouring dis tricts. The estimated loss is £loo,ooo—a very serious amount of damage for a growing colonial town. The cans() of the fire is unknown, but it was first dis covered in an empty house adjoining the Queen's Hotel, and from thence it spread rapidly in all directions. A. spirit warehouse near the hotel helped to fan the flames, and a large store by the quay catching fire, great fears were entertained that they would spread to the shipping. This further calamity was, however, avoided. Piles of goods and furniture, removed to what was thought a safe dis tance, were lapped up and destroyed. Happily no life was lost. As an instance of the progress made by the colony, it may be mentioned that a steam fire engine was brought into Lyttleton by special train. ki,ri O 4. 011 ft E CI rtildalt, Li A; Li; k, HER .1I AJEST Y. OSBORNE, Dec. 29. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, and attended by the Hon. Flora Macdonald. Her Majesty walked out this morning, accompanied by Princess Louise. Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold also went out. The Hon. Lucy Kerr has left Osborne. Mr. Gladstone reached his Gist birthday yester day. Mr. Disraeli attains his 65th year on Saturday. Mr. Cardwell and Mr. Vernon Harcourt, Q.C., the representatives of the City of Oxford, have accepted the invitation of the Ancient Order of Druids to be present at their Annual Druidical Festival on Monday next. BItEAKFAST,—EPPS'S COCOA.--GRATEFUL AND COM PORTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re marks :—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which -may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Each packet is labelled—JAMES EFTS & Co., homoeo pathic Chemists. London. Also, makers of Epps's Cacabine, a very thin evening beverage, —Advt. TUE GOVERNMENT AND TIIE FENIA PRISONERS. Mr. Gladstone has sent the following reply to Mr. Moylan, of the Canadian Government Emigration Office in Dublin, who addressed a letter to the right hon. gentle man by way of remonstrance on behalf of Canada, in rela tion to the liberation of the Fenian prisoners, cramped, as that act of grace is, considered with the condition of exile : —" 10, Downing-street, Whitehall, Dec. 22. Sir,—l am directed by Mr. Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th inst., which he has read with attention. Mr. Gladstone has every confidence in the motive which dictated it, but does not consider that her Majesty's Government would be responsible for allowing persons, of whose future obedience they have no assurance whatever, to remain in the midst of the community whom they had sought, and probably would seek again, to dis turb.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, ALGERNON WEST. —J. G. Molyan, Esq." The following are some extracts from a letter just re ceived from Mr. Denis D. Mulcahy, another of the political prisoners about to be released : " Woking Convict Prison, December 24, 1870. " My own dearest Father and Sister,—Between half past twelve and one o'clock, Thursday, the 22nd Instant, the governor, Captain Brambly, communi cated to me, 'Dr. Power, Colonel Burke, &c., that he had instructions to ask us if we would accept our release on condition of leaving the country, never again to return to it, or the alternative of remaining in penal servitude to finish our sentences. I was originally i sentenced to 10 years' penal servitude. I have accomplished half that period in penal prisons, besides four months' incarceration before my trial. I would go to Ireland under any restrictions the Home Secretary would deem necessary to impose upon me, that I may see my poor father before he dies. I need not tell you how much I desire to Pee you before I leave, but, considering the inclement season of the year, and the pre carious state of my poor father's health, I could not. I would not think of bringing you across the Channel for an interview of a few minutes. But the greatest of all punishments is compelling a man broken down in health to go into a foreign landinimical to his constitution, where he has neither relative nor friend. This, and depriving:me of the privilege of seeing my poor father, weigh heaviest on my heart. However, it will not do to give in just now. Neither you nor father must give way to your feelings. You must brace yourselves up for this the most crushing of all blows." THE SERIOUS CHARGE OF BANK ROBBERY. At the Southwark Police-court, Sarah Durrant, 62, a coffee-house keeper, 1, London-road, Southwark, was charged, on remand, with receiving two £l,OOO Bank of England notes, being a portion of £10,175 stolen from a clerk in the service of Messrs. Barnett, Hoare and Company, bankers, Lombard-street, while transact ing business in the Birkbeck Bank in February last. Mr. Mullens, the solicitors to the Bankers' Association, prosecuted; and Mr. Woodman de fended the prisoner. The evidence given by Mr. Sydney Tomlin, clerk to Messrs. Barnett, Hoare, and Co., and rnspectors Shore and Moon, of the detective police, has already been reported. On this occasion Mr. Tomlin, cross-examined by Mr. Woodham, said that all the notes he took at Coutts's Bank he marked at the back with the letters "C. X. X." Inspector Shore was re called and said that when he took the prisoner into cus tody she never told him where she got the notes from. Ele told her he heard- she had bought them, when she exclaimed, " Good God ! " She seemed very much confused, and hesitated before she handed the notes to him. In answer to Mr. Partridge, witness said the loss of the notes was advertised in all the newspapers of any note in the kingdom, the Continent, America, Australia, and elsewhere, offering a reward of £l,OO O . Full particulars of the notes were then given. Sergeant Moon, of the detective police, was recalled, and said he was present with Inspector Shore when he apprehended the prisoner. After she was locked up at the station house he returned to her house, No. 1, London-road, and found several foreign letters and envelopes ad dressed to Seyffert. That name was on the door of the prisoner's house, and his wife lived there. Witness knew Seyffert as a thief under the name of Brown. He was' tried at the Surrey Sessions and sentenced to four years' penal servitude, and was at present in one of the prisons in Paris. Witness also found a passport issued to him in the name of Brown in August last. Mr. George Bolton, cashier at Messrs. Coutts and Co.'s Bank, said that on the morning of the sth of February he paid " Barnett's charge " to Mr. Tomlin, amounting to £4,184 6s. Bd. There were four £l,OOO notes, num bered and dated consecutively. He identified the two notes produced as a portion of them, and they corre sponded exactly with the entry in his book. Inspector Fox, M. Division, said he was on duty in the Stones' - end police station when the prisoner was brought in by inspector Shore and Sergeant Moon. He did not take the charge, but after it was entered and Inspector Shore and Sergeant Moon were gone to search her house, she said she wanted to speak to him. He told her she had better not say anything to him, but wait until they re turned. He then said to her, "You have got into bad hands, Mrs. Durrant." She answered. " I have , and it is all through the villany of that drunkard, who sold me because I woulthnot supply her. She did this for me. I found the notes in the eoffee-room on Whit Tuesday, and I ought to have taken them to the police station, but she prevented me and told me to keep them as a provision for old age." Mr. Partridge asked the witness if he knew the woman or man she referred to? Witness replied that he knew Seyffert and his wife. The former was in a French prison, and the latter lived in the prisoner's house. He knew them by the name of Brown. In cross-examination by Mr. Wood ham, witness said he cautioned the prisoner before she told him what he had stated. He did not put it down in writing, but kept it in his memory, and when Inspector Shore returned he told him of it. He knew the prisoner as keeping the coffee-house in the Lon don-road for more than two years. Inspector Shore in formed his Worship that he found two leases in the pri soner's house relating to the coffee-house she lived in, and to another coffee-house, 133, Waterloo-road, next to the Victoria Theatre. Sergeant Moon, recalled, saidhe knew a man under the name of Clifford, but whose real name was Michael Parry. He was a well-known convicted thief. He is in prison now in the Maison Centrale de Fontrevault, Maine-et-Loire, France. He produced a letter from him, and an envelope addressed to him in the prisoner's house where his wife lived. In reply to Mr. Partridge, the prisoner said, " I have nothing to say,, only I found the notes in my coffee-room on Whit Tuesday last. The money found in the house by the police was for the rent of the two houses." Mr. Partridge committed her to Newgate for trial at the next Central Criminal Court Sessions for reciving the two £l,OOO notes well knowing them to be stolen. • LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30 1870. ARE we paltering with the political situation of affairs in Europe ? Can apathy to whatever occurs continue to be the characteristic of our foreign policy without derogating from the dignity, the influence, the pride and importance of Englan 1 in the councils of Christendom ? Our connivance at the seizure of Hanover, our toleration of the absorp- tion of a considerable portion of the Danish province of Schleswig-Holstein into the German Fatherland, degraded our character and tarnished our reputation. Yielding, as we have done of late years, to every advance made by a strong military nation like Prussia towards the carrying out, more and more boldly, of its most unscrupulous system of territorial aggrandizement,"wehave encouraged the very lust of encroachment that we ought in reason to have rt.- pressed, or at the very least to have endeavoured as far as possible to moderate. Inconsequence of this, the audacity of BISMARCK has triumphed. Rods of empire hitherto scattered and independent have been bound together wilh the Prussian axe in the centre, and the dignity of Imperator has at length been accorded by acclamation to the head of the house of Hohenzollern. Remembering the sheer brnte force with which the Government of Berlin has gathered strength to itself at the bitter cost of the lesser Powers around it, there can surely be no cause for complaining at the jealousy manifested at last by the late Impe rial Government of France when, suddenly, and quite as a surprise to every one, it was announced that, without taking anyone into her council, Prussia had arranged with PRIM, the Spanish Dictator, for the seating of a scion of the Hohenzollern race on the vacant throne at Ma ?rid. It had long been felt, and it was said then quite openly and frankly at Paris that Prussia had been insidiously, energetically, and systematically preparing for battle ever since the morrow of her last crushing victory at Sadowa. It was said in retaliation at Ems and Berlin, and elsewhere, that France, on the contrary, had been the one who had all the while been in sidiously preparing for the encounter. Carried away by the warlike spirit manifested by the nation at large, the former Minister of State, then President of the Senate—that is to say, M. OLLIVIER'S prede cessor, M. RoUHEß—lent weight to the imputation directed against his Imperial master by declaring that for four years he (the EMPEROU) had been steadily making warlike preparations. Events proved, within a very brief interval after the utteranca of that boast, that those words of M. ROUHER were expressive of so much bouncing and blustering. - They:were as utterly a stupidity in their way—not an indiscretion, but a stupidity—as that outrageous ' declaration made in the tribune by M. EMILE OLLIVIER, that he began :the war (this ghastly and appalling war !) with a light heart. But as we have said, the actual events of the campai-4 . n very soon, indeed, sufficed to demonstrate beyond the possibility of contradiction, which of the two belligerents ha , /, daring the pre ceding four years, been steadily, secretly. and insidi ously making warlike preparations. France, as every incident in the campaign spewed more and more clearly, was not in the least prepared. Prussia, wise in its generation, ." like a strong man armed keaping his house," was ready upon the instant to muster a gigantic array upon the northern frontier line of France, and to advance at the pas de charge into Alsace and Lorraine every by-way and hillock and coppice in which had been carefully studied long beforehand, not only by great military chieftains like VON MOLTKE and VON Room, but by the great mass of the Prussian officers under tneir command, down to the more intelligent of the young subalterns. Might in these days, if but armed to the teeth and une►ubarrassed by scruples, has but to act as though it had Right to whatever it lays claim to, and success is at once achieved and secured to it by the connivance of burrounding nations, In order to recognise the truth of this assertion it is only necessary to remark the triumphant growth of the two most unscrup u loos Powers now in Christendom—the Prussian Monarchy, directed by King WILLIAM, and the Italian Monarchy, directed by • King VICTOR EMMANUEL. Whatever either sovereign has wanted to possess he has seized upon with a bold hand and absorbed into his dominion. All that England has had to do in their regard has been to watch apathetically the daring work of German and of Italian unification. It seems only within the fitne-s of things that the Royal race of Prussia having been baulked in its attempt at the acquisition of the Spanish Crown, that golden bauble should fall to the lot of a Prince of the House of 6avoy— that King AMADEUS should at last ascend the throne originally assigned to LEOPOLD of Sigmaringen. The flagrant example set to the rest of Europe by the councils of Berlin and of Florence, are proving as a matter of course, however, contagious. Prus sia, herself, drunk with blood _ and shod with iron, intimates plainly enough her intention not only to absorb Alsace and Lorraine, but Luxemburg as well. The • Russian Autocrat through his Minister Prince GOILTSCHA KOFF, insolently declares his intention to set aside as so much waste paper that Treaty of 1850 which was purchaced by the heart's blood of the warriors of France and England who fell on the battle-fields of the Crimea. Emboldened by these acts, Rou mania has now openly declared its independence and thrown off its allegiance to the Sublime Porte. How much longer is England, in the presence of these proceedings, marked quite by their audacity and insolence, to remain simply apathetically obser vant? If very much longer, she will unquestionably be paltering not only with the political situation of Europe, but also, and in a very deplorable manner, with her own historical reputation. TOPICS OF THE DAY. THE COMING CONFERENCE. The Independence Beige, in speaking of the per sonnel of the Conference, whose opening is definitively fixed for Tuesday next, says it was at first proposed that France should be represented by M. Thiers, then by M. Jules Favre; but the latter has not yet received the safe conduct which the English Government asked on his behalf at Versailles. If it should not reach him in time for him to attend the Conference, he will be provisionally represented by M. Tissot, the French Charge; d'Affaires in England. In any case, says the Independence, a great point is gained by the participation of the Government of National Defence in the deliberations of the Council, and the unqualified recognition of that government in an international point of view. This will not be with- EXTRAORDINARY SEIZURE. We are informed that the International, a ship having on board a submarine cable for the French Govern ment, has been seized on the complaint of Count Bern storff, the Prussian Ambassador, and lies in the Thames in charge of Custom-house officers. The cable was manu factured by the Indiarubber, Gutta Percha, and Tele graph Works Company (Limited), of Silvertown, under a contract with M. Steemackers, Director-General of Telegraphs in France, to . connect Dunkirk with Cherbourg, Brest, and Bordeaux. By an amendment to au Act passed during the last session of Parliament " military telegraphy" was included among the subjects with respect to which an infringement of neutrality be came possible, and it is under this statute that the Govern ment found itself obliged to take notice of the information supplied by Count Bernstorff, and to act upon his demand fur the detention of the vessel. An application by the company for the release of the vessel and cable has been, we understand, addressed to the proper authorities, but thus far has met with no success. As it is not denied that the cable was intended to be laid between Dunkirk and Bordeaux, and as it might un doubtedly be used for military purposes by the French Government, the case contemplated by Parliament in the Act above referred to was thought to have been prime jade made out. Count Bernstorff can have little reason to complain that in, in this instance at least, the English Government has not acted with promptitude and effect, if it be true, as we are assured, that within three hours from the time of filing the complaint the vessel was in custody.—Daily News. Up to the middle of this month the weather in America bad been unusually mild. One of the New York Papers just to hand says that hydrophobia, ligktning calamities, fruit trees budding the second time in one season, green pastures, growing strawberries, and bloom ing flower gardens, are matters recorded in the news papers near and far. People are beginning to wonder if we are going to have any winter at'all. THE REPUBLICAN CLUB.—Our correspondent at Cambridge telegraphs " The paragraph which ap peared in Wednesday night's Pall Mall Gazette, respecting a- Republican Club, said to be formed at Cambridge University, by Professor Fawcett, Mr. Sedley Taylor, and Mr. Sedgwick, to which Mr. Clarke is said to be a recruit, is entirely incorrect, and was not dreamed of till the, paragraph appeared. At least three of the gen tlemen named are members of no such society. THE RAILWAY CALAMITY NEAR HATFIELD.-011 Wednesday the inquiry into the cause of the fearful railway accident whichhappened on Monday night on the Great Northern, about two miles ou the London side of Hatfield, was held at the r choolrooms of Welham. The facts, which we have already published, having been given in. evidence, the jury returned the verdict—" That the male persons lost their lives through the breakage of a steel tire, but we ex press no opinion as to the cause of that breakage.' The Coroner said : Then we must take it that the women were killed by the overturning of the train?—The jury concurred, and the proceedings then terminated after about a six hours' sitting. CAN I AFFORD IT ?—Pay your Stationer 6d. for a reply. Slap of the World gratis in all Letts's Office Diaries. Letts's (id. and is. Diaries give most value for your' money. Letts's Housekeepers' and Ladies' iaries are mu im Invisible Ink for Postal Card D s, Oct. per bottich e.proved. Letts's LAT tI\TGL/ Th © Fri Bordeaux, to the Con the Eng Itepublic Lord L 3 t his deterl The full " Mont 10 -day. ( _ ' On ill bourhood Rill increB 'Gen eral b taff, has Which cx] before Le the troop to aband( The Go] hone Nois, north. T . b eing 24 more irreg 811 ent, and Both sidef continued The air me it into] viith the I GEN genera] Vitry, the Douai,,) four miles There l het v veen French. hi 8 operat I 'esieged. O ONTINI Th e G, 111 the ] 'facuated leatinatio These r I licate at o a rmies of 4e rious a] , 'c'r th e sa rations. P RI Thirty eight bat ar e beim; f '°ti ndrie; 40 0Ve to " t Y 31st. h a v e be 4 Arles, 41 'e airet 4 Possib] TH i Since t th e rally Plied as duty i s t c even be envi: / the eea awe th Prus: peal Lit ''''' l 3.l to i 14 Order 44 (.1 Yrus La Li :eeptiou ItEP The ° f Qllo w i n , Ville ,___: i 4 a. de L ll engag ()11 g . pre - kkke lath alght of ha lf, La) ,1" our 1 tee, l ,, ri cm , -4. asc hor qa h .4er a (( cte Of 4 01 ViA riz 14 tile THE EUROPEANUWAR. The SUN is Published Every Morning at EIGI' r O'CLOCK, with SOME HOURS' LATER NEWS than any other, paper. This edition will always contain the LATEST N E\VS of the WAIL, ana of all other events.