The Sun. — London, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

Naval and. Military Intelligence. Vice-Admiral Sir S. Dacres, K.C.8., arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday from the Admiralty. Vice- Admiral Sir A. Milne, K.C.8., also arrived at Ports mouth from the Admiralty yesterday, and in the afternoon paid a visit to the dockyard. On Sunday Admiral Dacres went on board Vice-Admiral Sir G. Mundy's flagship, the armour-plated frigate Royal Alfred, at Spithead. Yesterday the Admiral, accom panied by Rear-Admiral Superintendent G. Welles ley, went on board the Minotaur and Valiant, armoured iron frigates, and other vessels in Ports mouth Dockyard. _ _ The arnionrecl iron screw frigate Minotaur, 26, 6,621 tons, 1,350-horse power, has received the whole of her armament at Portsmouth, and yester day was removed from under the sheers to the large south jetty, where she is expected to be formally commissioned this morning, by Capt. J. Goodenough, as the flagship of the Channel Squadron for 1867. The 48 hours' cruise which has just been made by the Royal Alfred in the Channel appears to have been attended with very satisfactory results, except on one point. The ship proved wonderfully manage able under sail as well as steam, and the gun-carriages and slides of the 12-ton guns gave no signs of weak ness with the guns firing, singly and in broadsides, 401 b. powder charges, with shot. The exception lies in the damage caused by the tremendous concussion from the explosion of such charges. A large hole had been made in the bottom of the lifeboat, and all light wood about the ship's bulwarks or deck fittings had suffered more or less. The boilers are having some 180 of their faulty tubes replaced by new ones, and when this has been completed the ship will make a second trial of her speed over the measured mile in Stokes Bay, probably on Thursday or Friday next. The Norwood convict ship, arrived at Spithead yesterday from the Thames to embark convicts for conveyance to Western Australia. It is rumoured that Capt. W. C. Chamberlain, at present commanding the Asia and the Steam Reserve at Portsmouth, will most probably be the officer se lected to succeed to the commodoreship of the 2d class, and as senior officer in the Indian Ocean, on the promotion to flag rank of the officer at present holding the appointment, Capt. C. P. Hillyar,.now third on the captains' list of seniority. The 40th Regiment of Light Infantry will remove from Portsmouth garrison to Plymouth on the 10th inst. The depot of the 98th Regiment, from Col chester, will afterwards occupy a portion of the quarters vacated by the 40th at Portsmouth, and await there the arrival of the service companies of the regiment, now on their way home to England from India, in two transports. Major-Gem John W. Ormsby, Royal Artillery (April 5, 1866), recently appointed Lieutenant• G overnor and Second Commandant of the Royal Mili tary Academy at Woolwich, in succession to Lieut.- __ Gen. 11. Sand-ham, Royal Engineers (Aug. 3,1866) entered the academy yesterday morning, and com menced the duties of his post, which is a compara tively new one. The direction of the establishment was held exclusively by Col. Wilford until Feb. 2, 1862, when he retired on promotion as MajorzGcn., Royal Artillery. The governorship and chief com mand was then assumed by Field-Marshal Com mander-in-Chief the Duke of Cambridge, to whom all matters of importance connected with the cadets have since been referred. The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty :—R. Humphrys, surgeon, to the Chanticleer ; G. B. Moore, ALD., surgeon, addi tional, to the Frederick William ; J. Prowett, chief engineer, to the Chanticleer; J. Watson (A), engi neer, to the Chanticleer ; J. Lewthwaite, first class assistant-engineer, to the Chanticleer; and James D. Drysdale, assistant-clerk, to the Fisgard, as su pernumerary for disposal. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. WEST SOMERSET. The half-yearly meeting was held on Thursday, at Taunton ; Sir Peregrine Acland in the chair. The report stated that the receipts for the half year showed a slight falling off as compared with the corresponding six months. After paying of interest on loans there was a balance of £669 avail ab!e for dividend, and the directors recommended a distribution at the rate of 21 per cent. The report was adopted and the dividend recom mended declared. Sir A. Hood, M.P., Mr. L. Walter, and Mr. J, Halliday were re-elected directors. A vote of thanks to the chairman, and the direc tors closed the proceedings. STOURBRIDGE. The half-yearly meeting of the company was held at Stourbridge, on Friday ; Mr. W. Akroyd, chair man. The report stated that the extension line would be opened for passenger and goods traffic on the Ist of April, which give direct through communication between Stourbridge and Birmingham by trains running to and front the Snow-hill station of the Great Western Railway, and to and from the New street Station of the London and North-Western Railway. The directors recommend that the mini mum dividend, at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, be declared. The engineer reported that the Board of Trade officer had made the usual in3pection, and expressed himself satisfied with the whole of the works, and gave a certificate for opening. The capital account showed that £138,615 had been re ceived and expended, with theexception of £5O. On the Stourbridge Railway extension line the capital expended was £24.0,680, leaving a balance in hand of £54. The CHAIRMAN congratulated the meeting on the completion of the extension and the opening of a new line to Birmingham, and moved the adoption of the report, which was carried, the dividend therein recommended was approved, and the retir ing directors and auditor were re-elected. BERWICKSHIRE. The half-yearly meeting was held at Greenlaw on Thursday—Sir 11. 11. Campbell in the chair. 'The report stated that the expenditure of capital had been £150,600. The traffic receipts during the half-year showed an increase of £263, and the bal ance was £645, which, added to former balances, made a disposable sum of £1,684, out of which it was proposed to pay a dividend of 1 per cent. per annum, leaving a balance of £4Bl for the next account. 'The CHAIRMAN said the company was in a better position than last year, having a larger balance, .while paying the same dividend. He had, however, expected a more rapid increase of traffic, and he be lieved it was.owing in some degree to the want of sufficient rolling stock, but when the North British Company was in a better position the Berwickshire line would also improve. The report was unanimously adopted, and the re tiring directors and auditors were re-elected. WORCESTER, BROMYARD, AND LEOMINSTER. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Worcester on Friday—Mr J. W. Lea in the chair. The report stated that owing to difficulties expe rienced by the contractor the directors were obliged to take the chief management of the work them selves, and were in posoession of the plant and mate rials, b u t i n conseq uence of the inclemency of the weather the works had not progressed. There were 6i miles of line nearly ready, and when completed the Great Western Company were to run trains on it. The parliamentary deposit had been released, and the sullicribed capital was nearly exhausted, but the borrowing Powers were untouched. Thc directors had appealed to the landowners on the line to ren der assistance, and two ladies had sold their laud, ext , ,mling nearly two miles along the line between Bromyard and Leominster, and taken payment in paid up shares. The CHAIRMAN said that when the line was com pleted to Bro myard the Great Western Company were under agreement to work it and pay certain charges, including the interest on debentures, before even they took their amount for working. The report was adopted, the retiring directors were re-elected, and a vote of thanks to the direc tors for their services concluded the proceedings, MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN SHIRE. The total expenses of this company's railways and canals, including rents, tolls, duty, &c., from the Ist of January to the 24th of March, 1867, amounted to £121,533, as against £117,296 for the corres ponding period of 1866. The proportion of the South Junction receipts accruing to this company from the Ist of January to the 24th of March amounted to £8,078, as against £8,855 for the cor responding period of 1866, and the expenses to £4,701, as against £5,315. ATLANTIC AND GREAT WESTERN. The traffic receipts on this company's lines for the month of February amounted to $383,274, and for the same month last year to $408,864, showing a decrease of $25,590. The traffic receipts from the Ist of January to the end of February amounted to $711,411, and for the same period last year to $913,855, showing a decrease of $169,411. GRAND TRUNK OF CANADA. The traffic receipts on this company's lines for the week ending the 9th of March amounted for pas sengers to £7,118 ; for mails, &c., to £1,079 ; and for freight and live stock, to £16,392; total, £24,5E9, against £25,467 for the corresponding week last year, showing a decrease of £B7B. The total receipts from the Ist of January to the above date amounted to £224,273, and for the same period last year to £230,640, showing a decrease of £6,367. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday Mr. Palgraye held a sitting to exa mine bills for proofs of compliance with the House of Lords' standing orders. The Broxburn Bill was examined and passed. No railway bills were before the committee. DREADF UL EXPLOSION. FAVERSHAM, Monday Evening. This afternoon, shortly before three o'clock, an explosion of a dreadful character occurred at the gunpowder works of Messrs. Hall and Son, situate at Faversham, by which four men lost their lives and another was very severely injured. The explo sion took place in a building called the " mixing house," in which powder undergoes almost the last process. At the time of the sad occurrence there were five men engaged within the building, and all but one of these were instantly killed. The report of the explosion was not very loud, but the power of the explosion was such as to render the building almost in an instant a mass of ruin, and under the debris the five meu were buried. As soon as the explosion occurred all hands on the works rushed to the spot to render assistance, and the first thing to which their attention was directed was that of extri cating the bodies of the unfortunate men from under the black and in some places burning ruins. The first one discovered was that of Louis Ilighsted, a ma❑ between 50 and 60 years of age, who was found to be living, but frightfully burned and injured. He was immediately removed to his home at Oare, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. Next the workmen came to the bodies of two men, viz., Mark Coe and George Love, whom they found under a large quantity of debris. Both of them were dead, and presented a frightful spectacle, their clothes having been literally burned from off them, and their bodies a black and charred mass. After the lapse of about half an hour another body, that of Henry Adey,and a few minutes subsequently another, that of George Back, were discovered, both corpses, and both terribly disfigured. Mark Coe was about 35 years of age, a married man, and leaves a widow and family. He resided at the Brents, near Faver sham. George Love, of Luddenham, was about the same age, also married, and leaves a widow and two children ; Henry Adey was a single man, about 25 years of age, and resided at Ospringe ; George Back was a youth of 18, living at Osre. As soon as the news of the explosion reached this town two medi cal men, Mr. W. N. Spong and Mr. Quinton (assis tant to Dr. Spyers), proceeded to the scene of the disaster, the first to arrive being Mr. Spong, who rendered what assistance they could. Subsequently another surgeon, Mr. Garraway, also arrived. As speedily as possible three engines were brought into play on the burning timber, one of which belonged to the works, and the other two were those of the Kent and Norwich offices, stationed at FavershAm. The bodies of the unfortunate aecemea now await an inquest, which will 'probably be opened to-morrow. The Engine Drivers' Agitation. The present week will, it is believed, witness the end of the agitation which has now existed for nearly two months, the directors of all the railway compa nies being disposed, since the settlement of the ques tion on the Loudon and North-Western, London, Brighton, and South Coast, Great Western, and North-Eastern Railways, to grant the requirements of the men as far as it is reasonable to do so. In almost every case where the drivers and firemen had sent in memorials the principal claims as to hours and wages have, after long discussion, been granted. There are still many minor points to be settled, such as the mileage and the " shed-day," and griev ances attaching to certain lines, which by the force of circumstances are not felt on others; but with mutual forbearance there is now no reason to doubt that will soon be overcome. The agitation which was brought into prominent significance during the past week by the " one day's strike" has hardly been before the public two months, and many therefore will be surprised to learn that the drivers and fire men have for several years been endeavouring to arrive at the result now attained. They have sought to attain this by interviews, but with the exception of one or two lines their claims to consideration have not been attended to. In November last a great conference was held in London, which was attended by delegates from railways in all parts of the king dom, at which the grievances of the men of each particular company were set forth. The conference extended over several days, and at its close certain resolutions were drawn up and approved, which have since been embodied in the memorials presented to the various boards of directors. Such, in brief, is the origin of the dispute now nearly settled. The notice of the men of the North British Railway, re , questing that during their dispute with their super intendent drivers on other lines will not apply for situations as engine•drivers or firemen, is still pub lished, leading to the inference that matters were not progressing so favourably as could be wished. We are, however, enabled to state that there is a prospect of an amicable settlement. The engine-drivers of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway had au interview with the superintendent of the line on Saturday, and we have authority for stating that the ten hours per day was granted, together with the other principal requests as set forth in the memorial. The ten hours has been granted on the North London Rail way, and many grievances redressed, and the same may be said of the Brecon and Merthyr and other companies in the west of England. OnSunday even ing a special meeting of the engine -drivers and fire men of the South Eastern Railway Company was held at Bermondsey, Mr. Milman in the chair, to hear the opinions of the men respecting the circular letters sent in to the company by them, asking for 10 hours a day, instead of 72 hours per week, under which they are now working. It appears that the South Eastern men were the first to take action by memorialising the directors for fewer hours and more money. It is only fair to the directors to say that they granted both requests at the time, but the sys tem of 72 hours on an engine -driver for the week, which the directors got the men to sign for, was manifestly so wrong that hardly had it been granted than the men were dissatisfied, for the extra line frequently bringing the day's work to 17 and 18 hon:•s, revived iu full force the grievance of which they all so much complained. It was then determined that as soon as the ten hours had been conceded by the companies, the men should again memorialise the directors. This has been done, and we have reason to believe that the boon will be granted. ADVERTISEMENT.j — IioIIowu's Pills and Ointment.— Determination of blood to the head, fleshings, palpitation, and shortness of breath are cured by these grand regula tors of the heart's impulse. Under Holloway's grand specifics the current of blood throughout the body becomes steely and unchanged by the passing thought, hence the suffusion of the head and cheeks is avoided and nervous wrribarrassment prevented. They in like manner remove excessive censibilit so often the opponent to the ease and caginriandcieenrairiarteent the healthful and strong nerved frame equalgrermorend the doubts of the nervous. In intellects de intense study, free living, or over anxiety, no is attainable. Without exaggeration, they giveell"energy to ill() paralysed, and ease to the THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 2, 1867 Miscellaneous Foreign News. (From Correspondents of the Anglo-American Times.) PARIS, March 27, 1867. Before my next letter the great show will be open, and the world flocking to the Champs de Mars. The Emperor and Empress, accompanied by General Fleury and Colonel Stuffel, paid a visit to the buildings a few days ago, and appeared satis fied with the progress of the works. The Japanese deputation have arrived by steamer at Marseilles. They bring with them upwards of 600 packages for exhibition. There arc 12 persons in the commission, viz., a chief of the department of foreign affairs, an interpreter, a botanist, two tradesmen, three young women, and four servants. The young women will keep an establishment for tea and other commodities i❑ the palace. Season tickets to the Exhibition have been issued. Those for men are of a blue colour and cost 100 francs ; those for the ladies are rose coloured, and cost 60 francs. On the back of these cards is a small frame, destined to receive the photograph of the owner ; below this frame is a place reserved for the signature of those who do not wish to have their pictures thus em ployed. But to these fastidious persons four gates of entrance are forbidden, so that perhaps the con venience of entrance everywhere, would more than compensate a frequent visitor for the photographic concession. The portrait includes only the head, and is about the size of a postage stamp. When it is attached to the card the frame is torn away, so as to render substitution impossible. There is also on the back of the ticket a plan of the Champs de Mars, with all the entrances indi• cated. The document is well got up, and is suffi ciently small to be easily carried. The statues of the Plantagenets, which were to be presented to England by the Emperor, will be preserved at Fontevrault, and by way of compensa tion the English Government will be allowed to make copies of them. The savants of France have not protested in vain against the removal of this historical inheritance, and Fontevrault will keep its treasure. The census of France for 1866 has been pub lished, and shows 89 departments, containing 373 districts, 2,941 cantons, and 37,543 parishes, which have together a population of 38,067,094, not in cluding the effective bodies of land and marine troops employed out of the empire. The popu lation has increased 680,983 during the last five years. The discussion in the Corps Legislatif of the law relating to a-rest for debt has commenced, and will continue probably for several days. Defaulting debtors are served rather roughly by the French laws when the creditors choose to resort to them. Three months' imprisonment is allowed for a debt less than 506 f., six months for less than 1,000 f., nine months for 1,500 f., and a year for 2,000 f. The creditor is required to pay for the good of the debtor in the prison of Clichy ; failing to do so, the debtor becomes entitled to his liberty. Minors, persons 70 years of age, and married women are exempted from arrest for debt. I have not learned the object of the discussion now going on, but presume it is to abolish, or, at all events, modify the severity of the law now in force. To relieve Monsieur de Lamartine from his oppres sive debts, it has been resolved, by those most in terested in the business, to sell all his property except a part of Saint Point, the burial-place of his father, and the small property of Monceaux, where he will retire. From this sale about 800,000 fr. could be realised, which, added to 400,000rr. ac corded him by the Government as a national recom pense, •would make a total of 1,200,000 fr. With this sum all his creditors would be paid, and to Monsieur Lamartine, free of all debts, a pension of 20 to 30 thousand francs, allowed during his life. An accidental injury received by the Prince Im perial confined him to his bed for some days. His health is now much improved, and his physicians have pronounced him out of danger. A number of Deputies, belonging to the majority in the Legislative Body, have decided to form a political club in this city. The management will be entrusted to members chosen by lot every month. On Monday night a concert was given at the ralace ..,r the Tuileries, in winch Mademoiselle Adelina Patti and other musical celebrities took part. "Doi Buccfalo," " Rigoletto," "Ballo in Maschiera," &c., were the pieces chosen from. I need scarcely add that the soirée was a brilliant affair. The presence of Patti with her sweet voice is always enough to give interest and delightful entertainment to any concert-hall. At the Salle Hertz a concert of a novel character for the Parisians came off on Monday evening. A number of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian singers, living in or visiting Paris, assembled in Soci6t6 Chorale, under the direction of a distinguished composer, and delighted the audience with melodies as original, .as little known, chosen from the rich repertory of the popular national songs of the three countries of the North. Blind Tom, the well-known American negro pianist, is to appear next mouth at the Salle Hertz in his wonderful musical entertain ments. The Parisians, ever fond of novelty and the marvellous, will no doubt be charmed with the performances of Tom, and we predict for him a great success. The new piece, "Ickes de Madame Aubray," by Dumas, jun., now acting at the Gymnaso, is ob taining an enviable celebrity in the theatrical world. The Dumas' always write well, and their dramatic efforts are ever welcomed by a Parisian public. The publication of the offensive and defensive treaties agreed to between Prussia and Ba varia, and Prussia and Baden, has produced a great sensation in the political world. These treaties, in which the contracting Powers reciprocally bind themselves to guarantee the in tegrity of their respective territori es , an d p l ace at each other's disposal in case of war their entire military forces, which in such an event are sure to be handed over to the supreme command of the King of Prussia, were concluded in the month of August last ; but up to Tuesday, eight months after their ratification, had been kept strictly secret. Their publication at this time, when recent assur ances emanating from the Corps Legislatif were tranquillising the public mind in regard to Prussia's aggrandisement, by alleging that the future of France could in no way be jeopardised by German unity, is now looked upon by the French journals as a reply to the argument employed by the repre sentatives of this Government in the late interpel lation on Bismark, as at least endowed with senti ments of honesty and conscientious integrity, in not wishing to withhold the knowledge of the existence of these treaties longer from the public ; in fact, duty and international candour required such a course after the friendly overtures made by the French Government to the Cabinet of Berlin. Notwithstanding the assertion of a certain few, who believe that every Power should consider the con solidation of the unity of Germany as a gage of peace given to Europe, still it is generally thought that the audacious course taken by Prussia will ultimately result in serious national troubles. Prussia may think she is perfectly right and justi fied in forming such an alliance, yet the anxiety evidenced to keep it secret betrays some fear lest it should not prove acceptable to neighbouring poten tates. France, with equal propriety, might form a similar alliance with Belgium, Switzerland, and by a military convention determine, in case of war, to place Napoleon 111. at the head of their united armies. Such a treaty, we dare say, would not be considered by Northern Germany as an earnest of friendly intentions or a gage of peace for the future. The offensive alliance of Prussia with South Ger many could have for France other dangers, inas much as Austria, carried away by the concentrated movement which is causing all the German Powers to look to Prussia as their centre of gravitation, might, in her turn, become the victim of the covet ous policy of Count Bismark, and in her present enfeebled condition fall an easy prey to Prussia's conquests. That the frontiers of France would be secure from encroachment by German power, in case of entire German unity, with Bismark as Prime Minister, is too doubtful for the French Go vernment to wait inactively such a consolidation as is now being gradually effected. The announce ment of the Yrassiap, Hanoverian, and Baden treaties is further considered as a protestation against the negotiations in progress between France and Holland for the sale of Luxembourg to the Imperial Government. In fact, it is said that Bis markian interference has again done its work in putting a stop to these negotiations by intimidating Holland. Lent and bad weather have been boon companions. The operas, the theatres, and many other places of amusement are well attended, and receptions we occasionally hear of, but there seems to me to be a settled ennui in all and each, and every one look ing as if they were dreaming of— " Joys that are to memory dear." Rumours are rife in regard to the opening of the Exposition. Some say it will be postponed for a few days, others a month, and still more remark that it will be opened anti then closed until the 15th of April. This would appear a good idea, for at present the workmen find trouble in progressing with their labours, from the many " lookers-on" continually around them, and were the gates open to all who wished to attend there would indeed be great difficulty in prosecuting the work. F. W. Fellowes, of the New York Evening Ex press, has been passing some days in Paris. He will leave soon for New York, but will return to Paris late in the summer. Americans are not arriving in Paris so rapidly as was anticipated. Many supposed that the city would have been quite crowded by this time. The French merchants are living in hopes of reaping an abundant harvest, and all classes think their coffers will be filled with Americans. When we notice the exorbitant, prices the catch-penny articles manu factured, the doubling and trebling the cost of things to foreign purchasers, we hope the " golden anticipations" of the undeserving will meet with disappointment. In fact, many who expected to come to Paris from America, and bring quantities of things, supposed they would not exceed the ex penses that they would have incurred at home, but that dream has been dispelled. Prices in Paris are fast gaining on those of America, and when the exchange of " greenbacks" for gold is taken into aclount very little, if anything, will be saved. I am very sorry for it, readers, but I am afraid, indeed I know that I am this week doomed to incur your displeasure, and it is useless for me to go on flourishing airy circles any longer over the paper, which natural instinct tells me it is my fate to cover after all with unwelcome truths. " Murder will out" is the old saying, and this I apply to facts. Is not a fact the most disagreeable of all convictions ? Are not facts as irrefutable as figures at the bottom of a milliner's bill ? A short prelude, however, by way of initiation. Bulwer says something about faith being a wing and proof being a blow. It is a very pretty idea, though a fashion writer cannot express it as the author of " Rienzi" does, but she can draw conclu sions from everybody's ideas, and here declares that she does not want to blow any one up without due preparation ; she prefers the flying part, which is forthcoming. We are all of us more or less horsewomen, and know that we could not leap a fence 5 ft. high if we felt at all nervous about tumbling in the ditch running on the other side of it; so when a barrier of the kind, has to be cleared we sit firm, mettle our steed at the starting point with an encouraging touch, and fly onward. It is not until we are safe over mud, barrier, and briar that we think of patting the faithful Pegasus, and of rewarding its pluck with a handful of sugar out of the saddle-pouch. On such occasions we should look back at the difficulties we have achieved, push our hair from our foreheads, and finally set our feather hats com placently at the very first rider who leaps after us. This is the example I feel inclined to follow as regards the Franco subscribers, get over my troubles first, and indulge in a pleasant chat afterwards. Should any prefer the sweets at the outset they will kindly run down this column till the words " Compagnie Lyonnais° " strike their eye, when they will find more than enough to satisfy their taste. Those who are more reasonable will have doubt less read the poets, and know, for poets say nothing else, and so often (!), that life is male up of bitter and sweet, tears and smiles, showers and sunshine, thorns and roses ; after which mixture, well-read women are prepared for the worst, of course, and, morally speaking, look for hard rubs on all sides ; materially speaking, I have observe l these ladies are ever ready with pocket-handkerchiefs and umbrellas. Such readers be mine ! The truths are to be, all about marriage. Maiden ladies are re quested to consider the latter• point as bitters, the sweet to them is an assurance that nowadays men will not marry. Could a close understanding with M. de Bismark, tongs and poker in hand, be more agreeable to spinsters than this Lit of intelligence ? But, then, well-read readers there are who are not spinsters ; who have, in fact, a great objection to the idea, and unto these be the home -truths addressed. A French writer, M. de Claretie, says that we are all becoming des objets de luxe, which freely translated means that we are " extravagant super fluities." He, moreover, maintains that women now bring a dowry of whims and fancies to their husbands instead of devoted attachment ; and M. Claretie, being a Frenchman, cannot be suspected of studied impoliteness to ladies, therefore if he has said a rude thing it must be put down for gospel truth. Marriage, he continues, is the partnership of two beings, one of whom is to dress continually in a white neckcloth and tail -coat (ho forgets to mention the rest, though a man can scarcely think trousers " unmentionables"), and the other being is to be ever undressed in low bodied robes. This is not all. The author affirms that the sea-side season in summer is as ruinous as the ball-room attire in winter, and he concludes by expressing no wonder that men will not marry. Now I have got thus far, I look round and say that M. Claretie is quite right, and more a wonder it would be if men DID marry. .But why speak in the imperfect part? They DO. How far have we got in the argument ? No farther than rhetoricians ever can without persuasion, which is one of the rules in Cicero ; therefore before Ameri cans and English use M. Claretie's language I will propose a remedy to the bachelor evil. I find that dress is the main cause of complaint ; that were it not for the sums spent thereon, men would marry (condi tionally, that is supposing nobody would mind hav ing them), but that for want of good management in the wardrobe, Prussia will have, Europe all to herself in future ages, no coming generations going under the denomination of a regular army being in existence to oppose her. However numerous irregular or illegitimate forces would prove, politicians could not take them into consideration, because of the feud there ever must exist between Church and State. Thisis, however, a digression, quite a secondary consideration. This being the state of things wardrobes must be attended to, and new resolutions taken with the new season. Let every female's thoughts turn to elegance, com bined with economy and matrimony. We may on the Ist of April naturally expect a few changes in the atmosphere ; the almanack teaches that we are in Spring. Faith, which removes mountai us, leads us to believe it. We may on this prin ciple cast aside our fur and our velvets, our plush and our heavy silks. I advise that all limit their desires to three dresses, which should be a cool, a hot, a very hot, and that these three should be purchased at the Compagnie Lyonnais°, where materials can be found from 1 franc 50 centimes upwards. The galleries of the above Compagnie are very spacious, and richly supplied with the most tempting novelties, silks, laces, and cashmeres. Ready-made costumes and walking dresses are waiting to be selected and packed up, for there are workwomen in attendance, under military order, should any preliminary letting out or taking in be necessary before the toilet is finally purchased. In the centre of this large estab lishment there is a budding spring garden, with a small rippling waterfall. Nothing can help a lady in a sober choice of summer materials so effec tually as the shade cast by green foliage. As I have to keep a bachelor in my mind's eye, 1 must try to forget all the costly materials at No. 37, Boulevard des Capucines, and mention what I saw therefor the three degrees I have mentioned. Firstly, the cool.—The ompa g nie can produce a a chine (mauve) all of the finest wool, and as light as Shetland textures ; this can be trimmed with cords and tassels of the same shade ; or again there are lovely mohairs with brocaded flowers, one especially has a pearl ground, and the flowers are sprigs of violets having two shades. The third I can pro pose for the cool is the new Nile de Paris, a camel's hair exactly like taffeta ; it is close and by means of a new dyeing process it casts a silky gloss when held up. The loveliest are lavender. Secondly, the hot.--Let it be a gauze a Cham b6ry. Any of the following are equally lovely : A white ground with two green taffeta stripes, a dark and a light one dotted over with a white satin pattern; a blue-striped grenadine speckled with black, a perfect miniature; a white gauze with velvet stripes shaded from orange to light lemon colour. The same with green stripes. Lovely velvet tulips and poppies on white. Thirdly, the very hot.---A silk muslin as transpa rent as a butterfly's wing, on which pieces of broken columns lie scattered shaded from the lightest grey to the lightest blue : it is an antique that not even the wiriest unmarried man could object to. The three dresses I have mentioned cannot amount to more than £2O or 500 f., all included ; and these with the help of a silk or two, which bridegrooms arc too happy to order for brides, constitute a decent summer outfit. An idea I can add respecting the said silks. Let them have an isabelle ground with chine pansies all over, or a light green ground with silver lilies of the valley, or a Bismark with dimi nutive green, gold, and black. Some of the political Bismarks bear the national colours red, gold, and black, which being on a cuir ground look Prussian enough—(readers are requested not to read queer.) One word more : Every article is marked with plain figures at the Compagnie Lyonnaise, so that there can be no fear of imposition which is carried on to a very large extent in establishments where this is not a rule. There are prices in some of these nou veautj shops for the English, others for Americans, others for the French. At No. 37, Boulevard des Capucines, there is but one price for all, and the sooner visitors look in, en passant, the sooner they will be satisfied that the Franco recommends roue who are not deserving. ROME, March 18, 1867. Rome is just now not unnaturally, but naturally, quiet; for a city, which is a capital of ecclesiastics and tourists, rather than of merchants or politicians, cannot be very lively during a period which its Church observes as a fast. The great army of travellers is at present at the south waiting to surge back hither at the festivities of Easter, when, as an American remarked to me the other day, " they will hang themselves up on nails" in default of other accommodation. Even now it is impossible to engage rooms for a period, inclusive of the « holy week," without having that item considered in the bargain by these acute natives, who, in a keen re gard for " number one," surpass even the mythical stories of Yankee sharpness, and in under-handed ways of securing the ascendancy of that numeral are, it is to be hoped, in advance of all the rest of mankind. The number of Americans here, even at present, is very considerable. In the cafds and reading rooms, at the consulate and banking-houses, in the churches, galleries, and promenades, one meets them continually, and in the uniform characteristics which distinguish them, in spite of countless indi vidual differences, realise the fact that, notwith standing the mingling of all races within our terri tory, we are yet one race as well as one nation. There is a peculiar freshness and independence in the way our people visit these old-world monu ments. They are capable of being pleased and impressed, but not overwhelmed. They are ac customed to what is great, and are not surprised to find it on crossing the Atlantic, though in forms different from those in which it is presented at home. A young and mighty civilisation has a hardy imagination, which rises easily to the height of all that is grand, and finds itself at home there, while it gains strength by the almost unconscious effort. As evincing that independence to which our whole life accustoms us, I like to hear even the crude opinions of those who dare to think for themsefroQ in defiance of all technical and traditional criticisms. It is hard to imagine a course more debilitating to the intellect than a systematic admiration, accord ing to the guide-book and the fashion, throughout an extended tour. I, for one, would much rather encounter the courageous statement of one of my very juvenile countrymen in Paris, that he " didn't like pictures and statues, he hated the Louvre, and would a great deal rather go to a penny show." As a more elevated example of the same quality, I quite enjoyed the coolness with which a party of fair Americans at the Vatican a few days since, after examining " The Transfiguration" of Raphael from every point of view, sat down to pass judgment upon it, de novo, with "I think" and " it looks." Some of their criticisms were open to the objection of demanding of art a perfection it can never attain, but the quiet and unstudied self-reliance with which a group of young girls were ready to form their own opinion on a work which the world has for more than three hundred years united to admire was refreshing enough to have excused more serious faults. The last meet of the hounds for this season took place to-day a little beyond the Ponte Lomentano. The weather, which at first threatened rain, became bright after one or two light showers. Fine equi pages were numerous. and the equestrians numbered over a hundred, including many ladies, of whom some rode finely. French and Italian could be dis tinguished, but it was extremely safe to speak to almost any one in English, which could be beard with the genuine native accent on all sides. A fox was soon started, and the hunt went off with a rush ; but the shrewd animal showed genuine Italian cunning, went the opposite way from what dogs or men expected, and while they were searching for him in one valley, he was looking up his various retreats in another. Finding every hole effec tually stopped, he investigated the slight cover which some shallow brush afforded, gave that up as worth less with excellent sense, and scud off across hill and valley, and through a flock of sheep, putting such a space between himself and the hounds as would have made the chase a long one if it had depended on their following the scent. Unluckily for him, the "tally-ho" of the hangers-on brought the pack around through a defile, and they came upon him just as he was executing an elaborate double. There was nothing for it but a dead run, which he kept up gallantly over a pretty long bill, with all the hounds in full cry at his heels. In the first ditch, however, they pounced upon him, and those who were lucky enough to be in first "at the death" (almost every one being close at hand) enjoyed the pleasure of taking his brush and head piece as trophies, after which the dogs enjoyed the apparently much greater pleasure of tearing and growling over and devouring the carcass. The whole chase was within a radius of less than a mile, and occupied about three-quarters of an hour. There were no very thrilling feats of horse manship, the ditches being broken down into roads which a carriage might pass, and the fences opened for the party to file through, only a few of the more daring taking a leap at some low point, and generally ringi ng their horse's hoofs against the bar even then. Still it was rather a lively affair, and a pleasant -variation of the prevalent quiet. Of course, here, under the " temporal power," we are out of the reach of politics. Those who like the present state of things cannot say much that is new about a matter so old, and those who dislike it canuct say anything. The latter can only express their sentiments by refusing to enjoy them selves, as they did so, resolutely in the recent carnival that it is called " the American carnival," having been almost' wholly conducted by foreigners, among whom Americans were numerous. En durance seems to be the prevalent state of mind, as nearly as a foreigner can learn. Of this I had a funny illustration last Friday. I had occasion to go to the post-office to look up a missing letter ; and, on arriving there, about four o'clock, found it closed. At last I came upon an attendant who spoke French, and who explained that it was closed from three o'clock until half-past soven, just the hourz yheu visitors would wish to go there, if at all. I expressed some of the vexation I felt by saying that such a thing would not be in any other city. He listened in an acquiescent way, say ing, " Oui, oui,;Monsieur;" then, studying the closed windows a moment, he added with an em phatic shrug and grimace, " Mais, c'est ferm6." It was impossible not to join in the laugh he raised at his own joke and my discomfiture, and doubtless a stranger cannot do better than to bear in mind the underlying philosophy of the above, that in the Pon tifical dominion whatever is, most ceruainly is. Old residents would not be surprised to see a revo lution here any time, or, on the other hand, to see the whole system come out, as oue of them expressed it, "as good as new." As they, therefore, know no thing about the probabilities of the future, the writer hopes it will not be deemed presumptuous in him if lie claims to be equally wise. Meanwhile we are enjoying fine weather, with rainy nights and sunny days, the trees and shrubs and grass in all the gardens and promenades, and far out on the canzpagna are brilliantly green, rich bouquets, and baskets of flowers are for sale at every corner. The last days of a New England May are given us here in the middle of March, and one who is not in quest of excitement, and not soon wearied with the grand and beautiful, may pass his time with much enjoy ment even in Lent. MANUEL. Sardinia was venturing upon new enact ments in favour of the people. Schools were established, and freedom of worship was permitted. Austria was alarmed. The establishment of a popular Government in Sardinia tended to under mine the foundations of Austrian power every where throughout the peninsula. As usual the menacing armies of Austria were put in motion, gathering in strength and garrison ing the fortresses on the Sardinian frontier. Sar dinia began to arm in self-defence. Austria haughtily demanded that Sardinia should disband the corps she was raising, and place her army on a peace footing. Sardinia replied— Austria, which increases its armies on our frontiers, threatens to invade our territory because liberty here reigns with order—because the suffer logs of oppressed Italy here find a hearing, Austria dares to intimate to us, armed only in defence, that we are to lay down our arms and put ourselves in her power." VICTOR EMMANUEL would never have ventured to have uttered such bold words had he not already secured an alliance with France. The Minister of the French empire in Vienna immediately notified the Austrian Emperor, in diplomatic phrase, that " France could not look with indifference upon the invasion of Sardinia by the2Austrian troops." Regardless of this significant announcement Austria pushed an army of two hundred and fifty thousand men across the Ticino, and marched for Turin. France was prepared for action. As her troops instantly commenced their impetuous march NAPOLEON issued the following manifesto : " Austria, in causing her army to enter the Ter ritories of the King of Sardinia, our ally, declares war against us. She thus menaces our frontiers. One asks, What can be the reason of this sudden invasion ?' Is it that Austria has brought matters to this extremity that she must either rule up to the Alps, or Italy must be free to the shores of the Adriatic ?' " Hitherto moderation bas been the rule of my conduct. Let France arm and resolutely tell Europe, " I desire not conquest, but I desire firmly to maintain my national and traditional policy. I respect the Territories and rights of neutral Powers ; but I boldly avow my sympathies with a people whose history is mingled with my own, and who groan under foreign oppression. " The object of this war is to restore Italy to herself, not to impose upon her a change of masters ; and we shall then have upon our frontiers a friendly people who will owe to us their independence. I am going to place myself at the head of the army." COUNTRY MARKETS. COLCHESTER—MARcII 30. A scanty supply of wheat, and although trade was some what slow, millers had to pay last week's prices to meet their requirements. Barley is now nearly exhausted, and prices aro almost nominal. Beans and peas quiet at late rates. Wheat, white 65$ 69i Beans, Maza r „frail......33s 40s liarle red' 62s C7s Alvidleand.sniall..44s 48s 12s 56s Peas, white 384 424 0404 ... 8 8 grey ...36s as The Reconstruction of Europe. The following is the second notice on the above subject communicated to the Anglo-American Times by John S. C. Abbott : As LOUIS PHILIPPE, in the year 1848, fled from France, before the indignant uprising of the whole French nation, Louis NAPOLEON, who had long been an exile from his native land, crossed the Channel, and, almost an unknown man, entered his native city. His name of NAPOLEON, and the general conviction that he inherited the principles of the Empire, was his introduction to the hearts of the French people. He was the legitimate heir of whatever rights pertained to Napoleon I. as the elected Emperor of France. Paris rose in enthusiasm to greet him. By an overwhelming vote he was sent as a representative to the National Assembly. Eight months after this, universal suffrage being proclaimed, be was chosen by nearly six million of votes President of the Republic. There were other candidates for this honour, illustrious men, but who were signally defeated. The Bourbonists and Orleanists, rallying to their aid this disaffected portion of the Repub lican party, formed a conspiracy to seize Louis NAPOLEON, throw him into prison, and to overthrow the Republic, with the expectation among the leading portion of the conspirators that they would then be able to re-establish the Monarchy and rein state the Orleans branch of the Bourbon family on the throne. The conspirators were ripe for action. They had obtained the control of the National Assembly and had abolished universal suffrage. In a few hours more NAPOLEON would have been 'h captive in prison, and the Republic overthrown. It was at this crisis NAPOLEON performed that celebrated coup (Mat, which history will probably declare to be the most brilliant and meritorious act of his life. It was the night of the Ist of December, 1851. When the morning dawned, the conspirators were in prison and the Republic was saved, universal suffrage was immediately restored, and LOUIS NAPOLEON sublimely submitted the deed and him self as its actor, to the judgment of the whole people of France. In less than one month the ver dict came back—a verdict uttered by nearly seven million of voices. It was this. Louis NAPOLEON is re-elected for an additional term of ten years, as President of the Republic which he has saved. But the peril from which France had so narrowly escaped alarmed the people. They began to call loudly in all the provinces for the restoration of the Empire. In obedience to this call, on the 4th of November, 1852, the Senate of France passed the following decree : " The nation wishes the re-establishment of the Imperial Dignity in the person of Louis NAPOLEON, with hereditary succession in his direct, legitimate, or adopted line; and gives him the right to regu late th o ord or o f ouoocooion to the throne iu tale BONAPARTE family." This decree was submitted to the people of France to pronounce upon it by universal suffrage. It was adopted by nearly eight millions of votes— a degree of unanimity almost unparalleled in the history of nations. France thus indignantly broke and scattered the chains which the treaties of 1815 had imposed upon her, and re-established the Empire of NAPOLEON— that empire whose fundamental principle was equal rights for all, and which empire, because of this principle, the despots of Europe had combined to overthrow. The wonderful unanimity of the masses of the French people in these acts, and the restlessness of the people in all the other nations of Europe, ren dered it inexpedient to attempt another coalition to overthrow the empire and to maintain the treaties of 1815. The success which had attended the French uprising aroused the enthusiasm of Italy. Every province was instantly in commotion to throw off the yoke of Austrian despotism. The kingdom of Sardinia was the only province which maintained even the semblance of indepen dence. Charles Albert, its King, in heart embraced the Napoleonic doctrine of equal rights for all, and wished to govern his kingdom upon that principle. But Austria would not permit it. All Italy sprang to arms. Austrian troops garrisoned all the for tresses, and the uprising was bloodily crushed. Charles Albert died of a broken heart. As he fled from the disastrous field of Novara, where his whole force had been crushed by the Austrians, he said to General Durando : " This is my last day. I have sacrificed myself to the Italian cause. For it 1 have exposed my life, that of my children, and my throne. I have failed in my object. Since lin vain Bought death, I will give myself up as a last sacrifice to my country. I lay down my Crown, and abdicate in favour of VICTOR EMMANUEL." The son, in heart, inherited his father's prin ciples, as well as his throne. He was, however, compelled, before Austria would permit him to assume the reins of Government, to yield to all the terms which Austria imposed. There was no nation in Europe, excepting the new-born Napoleonic Empire in France, which was in sympathy with the peoples struggling against the dynasties. But the infant French Empire, which had just burst from its chrysalis mausoleum, had no strength for foreign fight. The British Government, subsequently so eager for the dismemberment of the American Republic, gave all its moral support to Austria, and against Italy. The Edinburgh Review said, in reference to this struggle :—" It is utterly repugnant to the first principles of British policy, and to every page of our history, to lend encouragement to the separation of nationalities from other empires, which we fiercely resist when it threatens to dismember our own." The tenacity with which Austria clung to her Italian provinces may be inferred from the fact that, in addition to these kingdoms and duchies, affording such brilliant estates to members of the royal family, the Crown of Austria derived a direct annual revenue from those provinces of one hun dred millions of francs. This was not only exclu sive of the voluptuous extravagance of the Vice regal Courts, which the Italians were compelled to support, but also of the enormous expense of the Austrian troops garisoned in those provinces. Count CAVOUR, in a memorandum sent to the British Government in 1859, said- 4, The true cause of the deep discontent of the Lombardo- Venetians is the being ruled and domineered over by foreigners, by a nation with which they have no analogy of race, of habits, of tastes, of language. Austria is an old man of the mountain, seated upon the shoulders of Italy, day and night, an incubus, a terror, an intolerable burden. Italy, gagged and blinded, totters along with this terrible old man astride her neck, goading her to desperation, yet guiding all her movements." Ere long it became evident that very friendly relations were springing up between the French Government and Sardinia ; or, in other words, be tween the Emperor NA.VOLEO.N and .Victor Ex- London: Printed and Published by WILLIAM ANDREWS, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, iu the County of lilichilei3eX.--TuOiCltlY: April 2,1n57. NORTHAMPTON-MARCH 30. New white wheat, 58s to 655; new red, 46s to 61s ; old white, 62s to 688; old red, 61s to 66s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, 42s to 51s per qr. ; grinding, 29s to 36s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 26s to 338; new, 23s to 32s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 46s to 49s ; new, 42s to 45s per 38 stone. Peas, 38s to 42s per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD-MARCH 29. The market to-day was largely supplied with whet which receded in value from is to 2s per qr., and even with that reduction the amount of business transacted was but limited. Spring corn of all descriptions was dull at late rates. Wheat, old white....s3a 768 Peas, Partridge 41s 43s new .b3s 69s White old red 518 608 B,iling 8 —8 new. 518 63s Dun.... ..... .. Barley .. 26s 33s ditto, new --8 —1 Chevalier —a —s Beans, Tick, old ......408 158 Grinding * , 58 308 new. ...3SB 428 Malt 588 tOs Harrow 1 icks.42B 468 Chevalier 608 82a new.. —4OB 448 Oat. •• • GRANTHAM—MARcH 30. Old white wheat, 65s to 725; old red, GOs to 68s ; new white, 68s to 71s; new rod, 56s to 64s per 36 stone. Bar ley for malting, 38s to 455 per qr.; grinding, 308 to 34s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 30s to 32s ; now, 25s to 30s per 21 stone. Beans, old, 42s to 52s ; new, 39s to 46s per 38 stone. Peas, 353 to 40s per 36 stone. ABERDEEN—MARCH 29. There was very little doing in the corn market to-day. Prices unaltered. White wheat 455 5 dto 54s o °d to 485 58 pd) 58s 0 0d? ' Red wheat62lb 11 bushel. Potato oats 24s Od to 26s Od l 401 b V bushel. Common oats 23 s Gd to 25s Od Bore boll of 280 Barley Oatmeal 3 32 15 s 0 0 d d t t o o 3 3 3 2 5 s 0 6 d d j t. 11 1. Flour, fines3lb ? bushel. 20s Gd to 21s Gd 47s (Id to 53s 6d V sack of 280:b. KIRKCALDY—MARca 30. Small supplies of all kinds of grain. Wheat brought last week's prices. Barley and oats 6d per qr. dearer. Wheat. Barley. Oats. 53s Od ; 348 Od 248 6d second 51s Od I 37s Od 268 Od Tuird 5BB 01 40d Od 298 Od COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d. West Hartley Lambert's W.Hartley 17 3 llolywell Main l7 3 T unstall Walls End Hetton Hetton Lyons 16 9 Cassop g. d Trimdon Thornley 17 0 Walls End Gosforth 16 9 Russell's Iletton... 17 9 Hotspur... South Hetton Bradyell's Hetton l7 2 East Hartlepool ships at market, 23—sold, 21. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand. via Southampton April 19. Ditto, via Marseilles April 3. Brazil and Cape Verde. by British packet. April 7. Ditto, by French packet Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena April 27. China, Penang. and Siugaporc, via Southampton April 5. Ditto, via Marseilles Faikland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton April 5. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton April 5 . Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. • April 5. Ditto, via Marseilles April 7. Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton April 5. Ditto, via Marseilles April 7. Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseille 3 A pril 13 Newfoundland Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon. United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas and Honduras) April 1. Bahamd, via New York April 4 Cuba and Mexico Bermuda, via Halifax West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Tenerife April 3. MR. PEABODY'S DONATlONS.—Estimating the Mississippi Bonds at half a million of dollars, we believe the following list of Mr. Peabody's donations approaches correctness:— The Poor of London ... Town of Danvers .. ... Grinnell Arctic Expedition City of Baltimore ... ... Phillips Academy ... ..• Massachusetts Historical Society ... Harvard College Yale College ... To the South ... $2,250,000 60,000 10,000 1,000,000 25,000 20,000 ... 150,000 ... 150,000 ... 1,500,000 $5,165,000 The Louisville Journal says :—" Never buy goods of those who don't advertise. They sell so little that they have to sell dear." Births. HILL—On the 31st ult., at 7, Hamilton-place, Piccadilly, the wife Sir John Hill, Bart., of a son. MAnsnAm—On the 29th ult., at Middleton Stoney, the Hon. Mrs. Marsham, of a daughter. PEARSON—On the 28th ult., at Londonderry, the wife of Major Charles K. Pearson, the Buffs, of a son. Marriages. PEEL —CLATER—On the Ist inst., Jonathan Peel, Esq., to Sarah, relict of the late Thomas Clater, Esq., Senior Fellow of the Society of British Artists, Suffolk-street. PREST — BAINERIDGE—On the 28th ult., at Newcastle-on- Tyne, Edward Prest, of Great St. Helen's, London, and Lee, Kent, to Mary, eldest daughter of E. M. Bainbridge, Esq., of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Deaths. FORMAN —On the 30th ult., George Ellery Forman, Esq., R.N., aged 67. PARKER —On the 31st ult., at Lewisham House, Kent, Lieut.-Colonel E. Parker. VAUGHAN—On the 29th ult., at Aberystwitb, the Lady Lucy Harriet Vaughan, aged 58.