The Sun. — London, England, 1870-04-23 00:00:00

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE, STRAND. Lessees—M essrs H. J. Montague, D. James, and T. Thorne. TiIS E v ING. at 7, an original Comedy, by Andrew Halliday, entitled FOR LOVE OR MONEY. At 9, the new Burlesque, by Conway Edwardes, entitled DO CA L S; OR, THE INFANTE IN ARMS. Supported by the following Company—Messrs H. J. Montague, G. Honey, R. Irving, W. H. Stpphens, C. Garthorne, E. Elton, and Thomas Thorne ; Mesdames Nelly Power, Cavendish, Amy leawsitt. K. Irwin, L. Claire, J. kleauelere, It. Evelyn, Kemp, T. Levis, F. Garthwaite, It. Power, J. Norton, Fellowes, and A. Newton. Box-office open daily from 10 till e. H E NILE PEN. " STATIONER " says—" The successful inventors of the Waverley, Owl, and Pickwick Pens have just patented the Nile' Pen, wh;ch, by a combination of the turned up and turned down points, writes freely vk ithout scratching, and holds an unusually large supply of ink." "SUN" says Speaking, after a severe test of their lasting qualities, the Nile Pen is a marveL" Sold everywhere, is per Fox. By Post, ls. ld. • MsCNiVEN & CAMERON, 23, BLAIR-STREET, EDINBURGH. AGENTS—MILLINGTON and HUTTON, LONDON. THE LAIEST EDITION of " THE SUN " IL supplied as soon as published, every Evening, by S. WILSON, newsagent, and special agent for the North-western Diatrict, 24, Delancey-street, Camden town, N W CAUTION. MOSES and SON IE. beg to inform the Public of t that thoy have a d opt d' dopted Theand registered a TRADE MARE, consisting he Standard," with the initials "underneath, and that henceforward every &Webs of clothing manufactured by them will have a label or ticket atts.ched to it, with the said trade mark printed thereon. All persons are hereby cautioned against imitat• ing the said Trade Mark. For trades and addresses see following advertisement. • THE APPAREL OFT PROCLAIMS THE • MAN." BEST MATERIALS, BEST STYLES, BEST WORKMAN,HIP, and LOWEST PRICES, at E. MOSES and SON'S. Every description of Clothing ready-made or made to measure, for all ages, all occasions, and all classes, at E. MOSES and SON'S. For the convenience of Ladies accompanying their Sons there is a separate department for Boys' Clothing, and it is furnished with a splendid assort ment of Suits, Ov moats, and Clothing for all occa sions, including all the favourite designs and the most fashionable materials. Orders by Post are attended to with care and punctuality, and the easy and accurate system of self-measure introduced by E. MOSES and SON enables them to guarantee a faultless fit. Any article not worn or injured will be ex hanged, or, if desired, the money will be returned. All Goods are marked in Plain Figure , from whichno abatement can be made. The Stock of Hosiery and Drapery, Hats and Caps, and Boots and Shoes, is unequalled for mag nitude, variety, and cheapness. A very large assortment of BLANKETS, from 4d. the pair. Complete Outfits for all climates, with every re quisite for the vayage. List of Prices, with Rules for self-measure, Pat terns, and Fashion-sheet, gratis and post-free. E. MOSES and SON, Ready made and Bespoke Tailors, Habitmakers, Wooi:endrapers, Hatters, Hosiers, Boet and Shoe Manufacturers, and General Oatfltters for all classes E. MOSES and SON'S Eat blishmetits are closed every Friday evening at sunset, when business is esumed until eleven o'clock. The following are the only addresses of E. MOSES and SCN. LONDON: CORNER OF MINORIES AND ALDGATE. NEW OXFORD-STREET, CORNER OF HART -STREET. CORNER OF TOTTENIIAM-COURT-ROAD AND EUSTON- ROAD. Country Branch: BRADFORD, YORKSHIRE. TORN G OSNELL and CO.'S CHERRY PJ TOOTH PASTE is greatly superior to any tooth powder; gives the teeth a pearl whiteness, protects the etamel from decay, and imparts a pleasant fragrance to the breath. Price ls. 6d.— Red Bull Wharf, 93, Upper Thames-street, London. NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE. AGUA AMARELLA restores the Human Hair to its pristine hue, no matter at what age. JNO. GOSNELL 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 lowor pries. Sold in bottles, 3s. each; also Is., 7s. 61, and 15s. each, includ ing brush. Red Bull Wharf, Angel-passage, 93, Upper Thames-street, Lon don, E.C. THEATRE ROYAL, H A YMARK ET. Sole Lessee, Mr. Buckstone. THIS F VENING, at 7 o'clock, MY HUSBAND'S GHOST: itir Clark and Mrs Fitzwilliam. After which, at 7.40, NEW MEN AND OLD ACRES: Mr 13uekstnno, Mr Chippendale, Mr Howe, Mr Rogers, Mr Buck stone, jun., Mr Braid; Miss Robertson, Mrs Chippendale, Miss C Hill, Mrs E. Fitzwillin.m. COncluding with NO SONG NO SUPPER: Mr Kendal, Mr Compton, Mr Edward ~aborne, Mr Clark; Miss F. Wright, Miss Fosbroke, Miss F liwynne THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. WEBSTER THIS EVENING. at Seven, TOO MUCH OF A GOnD THING: Messrs 0. H. Stephenson, Ashley; Miss Maria and Miss Nelly Harris. After which, ut 15 to 8, THE PROMPTER'S BOK: a Story of the Footlights and the Fireside. Mr Benjamin Webst r, Mr 11. J. Byron, Mr J. D. Beveridge, Mr R. Phillips, Mr C. H. Stephen son, MrJ. G. Taylor, Mr C. J. Smith, Mr A shley, Mr W. H. Eburae, Miss Furtado, Mrs L. Murray, and Mrs Alfred ellon. - foieloliOvreiiirilf . FßEciot,S BETSY: Mr J. G. Taylor and Miss Eliza Johnstone. Boa-office open daily, from 10 till 5. No fees for booking Places can be secured a fortnight in advance. LYCEUM THEATRE (under the management of Messrs Mansell). THIS EVENING, at 7.30, S AMPSON' .4 WEDDING. Ann!' which. at 8, LITTL N FAUST: Mr T. Maelagan, M. Marius, Sir Aynsley Cook. Mr. Odell, and Mr Wilmot; Mdlle. Debreux, Me 'dames Lennox Grey, Lawson, Lee, and Emily Soldene_ I) OYAL STRAND THEATRE. ;)4 Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs Swanborough. Messrs THIS EVENING. at 7 o'clock. WIDOWS' WEEDS. Crouch, Turner, and Mesdames E Burton and Anstiss. Followed by SIR GEORGE AND A DR GON. Messrs. James, Terry, Fenton; Mesdames Santley, Dashwood, Goodall, Hughes, Anstiss and Metcalfe. And A FISH OUT OF WATER. rrlIE LATE EDITION of " THE SUN" at _ L Mr. BEAUMONT'S, "The Wellington," Wellington-street. Strand. QPORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies the LAtEs r LDITION of " Tlik: SILN " as soon as pub Bath-street. City-road. E.C. THE " SUN " NE wSPAPER.-G-. R. GLENIE, 1. Sporting Library, 4, C onnaug ht-t errace , Ed geware - roa d, delivers the L' AT E: EDITION of "THE SUN " as soon as published. THE SUN.—LATEST EDITION to be seen in the Coffee Room, at the "Southampton Arms," High street, Camden-town, where all Sporting mud Politica events are freely discussed. THE LATEST or SPECIAL EDITION of "THE SUN" every Evening, at Eight o'Clock, at Ur. Ross ars', "The Black Cap," High-street, Camden-town. THE LA VEST EDITION of " THE SUN . ,' J. MIMES begs to inform his friends and the public generally that be supplies e LA.TEST EDITION f HE SON "as soon as published.— th No.lo, Hampstead -road,o N.W. rrEE LA.TES'r EDITION of " THE SUN" to be !men Every Evening by 810 at Mr. BOBIZET MEACOCK'S. Britannia, Keneal New-town. THE SUN.—LATEST EDITION to be seen every Evening, at Eight o'clock, at 31r. GILLMAN'S, " The Wheatabeat," High-street, Camden-town. rrHE LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN" JgL flupplied as sopn . as published, containing all the LATEST NEWS t nd SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by H. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackfriars-road London. TIE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " s Applied, as soon as published, Every Evening, by W. At, 1• 1 13 ER (late Brooks), Newspaper Agent, -so. 4, Old Cavendish street, Oxford-street rrIlE LATEST EDITION of " TII E SUN " 1 may he seen at Eight o'clock every Evening at Mr. B. NEWPORTS% the Oxford Arms, High-street, Camden-town THE LAXE EDITION of "THE SUN" at W. SMITH'S Camden Stores," 78, Fark-street, Camden- town THE THEATRES, &c. °::n]; C? WALES'S—At Eight, School. Dearest Mamma. Quite by Accident HAYMARKET—At Seven, My Husband's Ghost. At 7.40, New Men and Old Acres. And No Song No Supper. LYCEUM—At 7.30, Sampson's Wedding. Little Faust. ADELPHI.—At Seven, Too Much of a Good Thing. The "'romp ter's Box. My Prec;ons Betsy. OLYMPIC—At Seven, Frou Frou The ' Varsity Boat Race, My Turn Next. GAIETY—At Seven, The Happy V.llage. Lucky Friday. The Princess of Trebizonde. QUEEN s—At Seven, My Wife's Dentist. 'Twixt Axe and Crown. - TRAND—At Seven, Widow's Weeds. Sir George and a Dragon. A Fish Out of Water VAUDEVILLE—For Love or Money. Don Carlcs. Cupboard Love ST. JAMES'S—At Seven, Frou Frou. La Belle Sauvage. GLOBE—At Seven, Milky White. Robert Macaire. Vandyke Brown. WOODIN'S CARPET-BAG AND SKETCH BOOK, Egyptian Hall, Picca dilly, every Evening (except Satm day) at 9; Saturday Mo, n in sat 3 Admission, Is, 2s, 3s. CHRISTY MINSTRELS. St. James's Hall, Every Night, at 8; Wed nesdays and saturdays, at 3 and 8 all the year round. MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION, Baker-street, from 11 a.m. till F.RO p.m., and from 7 till 10 p.m. Admission, ls. ; extra rooms, 6d. ZooLoutcAL GARDENS, Regent's-park Open daily (except Sundays) Admission. 18.• on Mondays, 6d. Children under twelve, 6d. nn LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1870. BLUE-1300KS have not yet come to be classed as popular literature. The information they contain is nearly always very valuable, and not seldom inte resting ; but they are unwieldy, diffuse, they often present an amount of kernel not at all in proportion to the amount of shell, and though they are cheap, considering their bulk, their price is generally beyond the means of the masses. Blue books for the million have yet to become an institu tion. There seems no reason why the experiment should not be made. If it be needful that the State should provide information for the benefit of legisla tors, the same facilities might with advantage be extended to voters. Intelligible condensa tions of Parliamentary text-books might form an important means of popular instruc tion. We can conceive, for instance, of few works more likely to find general apprecia tion than the series of reports just issued on the " Condition of the Industrial Classes in Foreign Countries." The title speaks for itself. Many of the returns have been drawn up in great haste, some are ill-arranged, and as the work was entrusted to the members of the Diplomatic Service, the whole is marked by a certain aristocratic flavour. Nevertheless, the result of these labours is an ex ceedingly valuable collection of facts, not to be obtained by any other means. The study of such a book could not fail to prove of great service to British workmen. One of the most certain effects of their investigating the condition of the industrial classes in foreign countries would be to make them more satisfied with their own condition. The English hand-worker may have his grievances, yet there are but two countries in which the working man enjoys equal comforts and advantages. One of these two States is peopled by the descendants of Englishmen, the other is Switzerland. The wages paid in foreign countries are decidedly below the rates current in England, nor is the cost of living so much smaller as to redress the balance. In Hamburgh 30s. a week seems to be the highest sum paid to any handicraftsman; it is seldom that more than 20s. is given; painters earn only Hs. 6d., and for carpenters the maximum is 18s. In Hol land a skilled artisan—joiner, plumber, or smith— gets 16s, a week in the large towns ; in the country his payment is often no more than 10s. In Prussia few occupations pass the limit of 20s. From 12s. to las. are very common rates for skilled trades. In Belgium 2s. a day are good wages for a mason, smith, or tailor. In Sweden fourpence an hour is the highest price, and this small sum is rarely reached, from three halfpence to twopence halfpenny being common. In Saxony it is seldom that the maximum price rises above 205., and few trades command over 30s. In Wurtemberg £5O a year is the extreme for the artisan. Overseers get from £42 to £lOO. And so on, with scarcely any variations throughout the entire list. In the United States wages are very high, higher than in England; and the great Republic, with the British colonies, is the only labour field to which the Englishman can safely remove. The wages of most Continental States would starve the British artisan. A good many of our country men are scattered over Europe ; but they are mainly employed as instructors to the natives, and generally their services are dispensed with as soon as the information they can afford is acquired. Speaking generally, the low wages of the Conti nental workmen are not compensated by other ad vantages. There are exceptions, but as a rule the Englishman has the best of it in all respects. The hours of daily work on the Continent are seldom so low as ten ; more frequently they reach twelve, and in some instances even fourteen hours' labour a day is exacted. In no country, ex capt America, does the workman enjoy such perfect froedom as in England. Most often is he fettered by multitudinous and vexatious rules; he rarely participates in the electoral franchise; and in the one Continental State where every male of full age has a vote—France—the system of Government is more paternal than anywhere else. To some degree, as we have said, the higher tariff of British wages is counterbalanced by the lower prices of food abroad. But this advantage is not nearly sufficient to make amends. The European workman subsists upon much plainer and coarser fare than the Englishman. In many countries he rarely tastes meat. In many places one meat meal a week is the rule. Some people, especially the Dutch, voluntarily undergo privation for the sake of saving ; bat more frequently is wretched living the effect of sheer necessity. In numerous districts, the fare is so miserable that one is tempted to inquire what is the value of such existence, and whether life is worth having on such terms. In England the bad dwellings of the poor are a frequent and just cause of complaint. Nowhere in Europe, however, are they any better. Dampness, defective ventilation, want of room, and disregard for the requirements of health, prevail everywhere. "The Dane is lodged in the back part of a several storied house, generally in the so-called cellar, or underground apartment; the whole• may open into a dingy court nine or ten feet square." There is little light or ventilation, for if the people desire either, the terrific smells outside forbid all opening of windows. In Spain;- the fineness of the climate renders lodging a matter of secondary moment, but the accommodation is uniformly bad. In Russia several families live in one great stye, which serves both as sleeping and living room. The Turk dwells in a wretched hovel. In almost every part of Prussia the dwellings of the poor are wretched in the extreme. In Holland great efforts have been made to improve t''e homes of the labouring classes; but the result is not yet so gene rally good as might be wished. The United States are, again, a great exception to the rule; for the most part the homes of the pcor in America are excellent; but, speaking generally, the housing of the labouring classes throughout tile world must be pronounced one of the great scandals of the human race. It is to be feared that the picture of the working man's condition, as drawn in these reports, is not a gleasantone. It would appear as if_ all the good THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 23, 1870. things of this life were monopolised by the favoured few, and all the hardship and toil fell to the prostrate multitude. Nevertheless, improvement is to be noted, though it is slow and meagre. Wages are increased, education is improving, culture and refinement are extending, and the just influence of the masses is everywhere being exerted in favour of their rights. It is need less to expatiate on the growth of wages in England and the United States. In France and Prussia the same tendency is manifest, though to a slighter degree. Low as are wages - in the last-named country, they are higher than even so recently as in 1866. The burdensome laws which hampered the action of the labouring ranks, especially in the matter of trade combinations, are rapidly disappearing. In France, for instance, the severe enactments against coalitions on the part of workmen " tending unjustly or improperly to force a fall in wages" are now much relaxed. Strikes are quite common, and some of the legislation affecting them is allowed to remain a dead letter. In North Germany a vast variety of laws against freedom of industry were all effaced from the statute book only a few months ago, when an Industrial Code was enacted by the Federal Parlia ment for the whole of the Confederation. In England the trades' unions will soon be legally recognised. America, in this respect, as in all others, is the home par excellence of the working man. Everywhere the principle is gaining ground, that the best course is to leave workmen to their own devices in the matter of combination, provided they refrain from violence. In respect of education similar progress is noticeable. The Austrian Parliament last year passed a magnificent law in favour of national education, such a measure in fact as puts to shame all our own squabbles. The system is denominational, and on a footing of impartial equality for all religious sects. Attendance at school is compulsory. Every child must begin at the age of six, and continue at school without in terruption until be is fourteen. Even then education canilut be discontinued, unless there be certified proof that he has thoroughly mastered the requisite standard. This standard is a high one. It comprises reading, writing, and arithmetic, a sound knowledge of the native language, history, geography, all the more important branches of physical science, geometry, singing, and athletic exercises. Here is a list to make the Englishman stare. The mere notion of such a measure as this passing the test of our "Par liamentary palaver" is enough to provoke mirth. In France the amount of money spent on education has rapidly increased, though it yet remains insuffi cient. The first Empire devoted a budget of £l6O to public instruction; the Restoration one of 2,000 ; the Monarchy of July one of £200,000 ; the Republic of 1848 retained this sum ; the Secand Empire grants £720,000. Prussia and America are the two first States in the world in respect of popular instruction. Others are working onwards, some with much zeal. The progress of the industrial clases in the attainment of political power is the most significant sign of the times. The United States is again .foremost in this particular. In the great Republic the working man has at least his full share, perhaps more, of influence in the conduct of Government. In England, the newly enfranchised classes have only to feel their strength in order to make those above them feel it. In France, universal suffrage, but for the system of official candidatures, which cannot long be maintained, would make and unmake d) nasties. Bavaria is re forming her franchise; Spain has declared the lowest suffrage; and fierce battles are now being fought over this question in both Austria and Prussia. What has been the effect of these material changes? Does the working man live on better terms with his employers ? The answer may be given as briefly a s surely —a state of war between master and man is everywhere springing up. Every item o f power and wealth which the industrial classes acquire is thrown into the scale against the more fortunate of society. But this is too great a topic to be discussed here. The great strife between capital and labour, the means by ,hich it is carried on, and the means by which it may be averted, will appropriately furnish the matter for another article. BER MAJES7'II.- OSBORNE, April 22. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal High ness Princess Louise, walked and drove this morn- lug. The oiher members of the Royal Family also went out. THE WATERFORD ELECTION. The petitioners at Waterford have altogether failed to support the charges of treating or undue influence at Mr. Osborne's election. Yesterday they unconditionally withdrew the charge made against the Rev. Mr. Kent, and expressed their regret at ever having brought it forward. The decision of the judge will probably be given to-day. THE FENIANS. The Government have received information that a number of Fenians have arrived in London from America. Colonel Fraser, of the City of London has warned the proprietors of the Tinges that an attack might be made upon the office of that journal, and of course precautions have been taken to frustrate the attempt, should it be made. Since then the police have been engaged in taking down the names of persons living at all the regular lodging-houses in the metropolis. THE JOCKEY CLUB. A general meeting of the Jockey Club will be held at Newmarket, after the races, on Wednesday in the First Spring Meeting, when the following notice of motion by the stewards will be brought forwttrd : " 'I hat a committee be appointed to consider the pre sent condition - of the turf. That the committee do consist of eleven members, and have power to hold meetings when and where they think fit. Thlt the stewards shall, after due notice, summon a general meeting of the club to consider the report of the said committee." Summonses have been issued for a Cabinet Council, at Mr. Gladstone's official residence in Downing-street, on NVednek day next. The Pope has been pleased to confer on the Mar quis (I Bate the Grand Cross of Gregory XVI. . Mr. Cardwell goes to Osborne to-day on a visit to her Majesty. Mr. Childers is not expected back from Rome before Wednesday next. Mr. Antonio Brady, late 'Superintendent of Con tracts at the Admiralty, is to receive the honour of knight hood. The death is announced this morning of the Hon. Mrs. Isabella Sophia Whately, sister of Lord Chancellor Pews, first Earl of Cottenham, and aunt of the present and late peers. Miss Bateman has arrived from America. She will pass two or three months on the Continent to recruit her health prior to commencing her provincial engagements in England in October. the rumour that Mr. Webster had assigned his interest in the Adelphi and Princess's Theatre to Mr. Boucicault is altogether untrue. Mr. W. S. Gilbert is preparing for the Haymarket a fairy comedy in three acts. Mozart's posthumous opera bouffe, in two acts, " L'Oca del Cairo," will be performed for the first time in England on Saturday next, at Drury-lane Theatre. Aidlle. Ni'sson is very anxious to sing the " Bohe mlah Girl"—in Italian—at Drury-lane. It is being trans lated. The English residents in Paris have just lost an old and much respected member in Mrs. Maberly. She died at her residence, Boulevard Malesherbes, ou Easter Mon day, after a very long and painful ilium The very extensive Distillery now being erected at Belfast, with all recent improvements for the manufacturo of Irish whisky, by Meatus. DIINVILT.F. & Co., who have gained a world-wido celebrity for their fine old Irish whisky, is to be called •'The Royal Irish Distillery." LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) FRANCE. PARIS, April 23. An Imperial decree has been published, dated to day, convoking the nation for the Bth of May, in their comitia, to accept or reject the following ple tiicite : " The people approves the liberal reforms effected in the constitution since 1860 by the Emperor with the co-operation of the great bodies of the State, and ratifies the Senatus Consultum of the 20th of April, 1870." BoußsE, April 22.—Three o'clock—The market closed as follows : 4i per Cent. 3 per Cents 74 10 End of month 74 02i Credit Mobilier 268 75 Transatlantic 197 50 'relit Foncier 1317 50 Paris Gas 1690 Suez Canal 305 Bank Shares 2830 Ital'an rives 56 90 Austrian Fives Ottoman Loan Do. Debt 49 30 Spanish Threes 30 Home Debt — Deferred 27 Cash 975 655 11831 620 10424 608 544 8064 4174 67 844 51 RAILWAYS Orleans Western Northern Strasburg Lyons and Mediterranean Southern..... Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Roman PRUSSIA AND THE COUNCIL. BERLIN, April 22. The Prussian Cabinet has instructed Baron von Arnim, its representative at Rome, to aclo[t the conclusions embodied in Count Daru's despatch respecting the Schema de Ecclesia, at the same time maintaining the reservations previously announced upon the subject of the decisions of the Council. AMERICA. (By Cable). • NEW YORK, April 22. The President has nominated General Adam Ba dean consul-general in London. In consequence of representations from the Spa nish consul at New York, that the Cuban insurgents were fitting out an expedition in the United States, investigations have been made by the State Depart ment, and a communication has been forwarded to the Spanish Minister, declaring his apprehensions to be groundless. Ihe Anchor steamer Cambria has arrived out. The lowa steamer (of the Anchor line) arrived here to-day. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CLOSING PRICES. Gold closed at 1131; the highest quotation during the day was 1131; the lowest, 1121. Sterling Exchange on London ... 109 b-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 1885 1867 1061 140 211 26c 10-40 Illinois . Erie Cotton—Mid. upland Petroleum—Standard White Flour—Extra State, $1 50c. to $5 10c. mire 1, $l 15c, Corn—Old According to Messrs. Moffat, Davidis, and Co.'s report the week's receipts of cotton have been 40,000 bales, and since the Ist of September, 2,540,000 bales. Shipments to England, 42,000 bales; to France, 11,000 bales ; and to the Continent, 6,000 bales ; and since tha Ist of September, 1,720,000 bales. Stock at all ports, 345,000 bales. Middling Upland, 10 5-16 d. cost and freight per steamer. GREENCASTLE, April 23. The steamship Columbia Of the Anchor line, from New York, arrived here at 4.30 this morning. She landed passengers and proceeded immediately for Glasgow. GREAT FIRE IN MANILLk. BOMBAY, April 22. Intelligence has been received here of a great fire having occurred in Manilla. The loss is estimated at one and a half million dollars, which is not covered by insurance. BOMBAY MAIL. SuEz, April 22. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Rangoon, from Bombay 10th April, arrived at 1. p.m. tbis day. CHINA AND AUSTRALIAN MAIL. GALLE D April 19. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers Malta arrived from Australia yesterday, and the Emeu from China to - day. The Hi ndostan leans for Suez to-morrow. The Malta brin gs £ 290 , 00 0 in Australian gold for Europe. The outward mail of 22d and 28th January, the Geelong, arrived at Melbourne on the 16th and Sydney on the 19th March. At the Cork adjourned Quarter Sessions held yes terday, a man named Waugh was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for carrying arms in a proclaimed district. On leaving the dock the prisoner said, " There will be an exchange of prisoners before then. God save Ireland." tiardiment will be removed from Norwich to London early next week, to receive sentence in the Court of Queen's Bench in respect to the bribery com mitted by him at the last Norwich Parliamentary elec tion. At a large meeting held last night, at Preston, to consider the subject of education, a letter was read from Lord Derby, who expressed his belief that the Govern ment bill embraced a fair and honest attempt to solve the religious difficulty, and said he should regret to see the bill either withdrawn or rejected. The consumption of tobacco for the year just ended was at the rate of 1 Ib. per head. In 1867, the quan tity consumed was 41,048,0001 b. ; in 1868, 41,280,0001 b. and in 1869, 41,719,0001 b. The increase may be accounted for by the increased population. Some kinds of tobacco appear to be much more injurious than others, and shag, so much used by the English working men, is perhaps, the worst. It is stated that Mr. Charles Edwards, of Dolserau, has offered to place his residence, near Dolgelly, at the disposal of the Queen, if her Majesty should decide to visit North Wales during the summer. Sir Thomas Biddulph, it is also affirmed has written to Mr. Edwards, thanking him for his offer, but stating the visit has not been decided upon. The Vatican tells the story of a "special corres pondent" whose return from Rome to London called forth his friends' regret that he had resigned his post. " By no means," he replied. " I am quite as able to write my letters on the Council in my club as in Rome." The Vatican has no doubt whatever if the truth of the asser tion, but thinks the candour of the confession makes it worthy of record. HIGH WATER AT Mor SATURDAY. 40 min SUNDAY 0 mm LONDON BRIDGE. ming. Evening past 7 20 min past 8 past 9 45 min vast 9 MONDAY 25 min past 10 5 min past 11 TUESDAY 40 min Past 11 0 min past 12 WEDNESDAY 10 min past 12 ..... ....35 min past 12 THVESDAY... ..... , ..... , —56 mill past 12 18 min past 1 ;I. E II) AYst si • .I• 35 min put 1, 52 min put 1 TOWN TALK. (From the Western Mail of this Morning.) LONDON, Friday Evening. It will be remembered that, immediately before the commencement of the Easter holidays, Bernal Osborne's last, instead of awakening laughter, for once startled the House of Commons into unusual seriousness. Nor could it very well be wondered at, seeing that it was about the gravest joke ever in dulged in by the humorous member for Waterford, the gravity of it consisting in its truth—many a true word being spoken in jest, according to .the proverb, and this being one of them. It was more of a prediction even than it was a goak, to use for once poor Artemus Ward's grotesque orthography. And it was this—that never at the close of any session will there have been witnessed so ruthless a massacre of the innocents than at the close of the present one, immediately before the prorogation. The sting of this is its exceeding probability. So much has been commenced ; so little has been in any way advanced towards completion. We are only just nibbling at the first clauses of the Land Bill in com mittee ; the educational measure has made no 'head way at all, the opposition to it all the while increas ing and multiplying, insomuch that people begin to talk of Mr. Forster's triumph being postponed for another year. There can be little doubt, in any case, I take it, of this— tspecially after the way in which Mr. Gladstone tried it on as early in the session as two or three weeks before the com mencement of the Easter. xecess—that the Leader of the House at the head of his " Tyrant Majority " will first of all see how much can be accomplished by working double tides, i.e., by morning as well as evening sittings, and that he will next, and as a dernier resort, strive to find out how far the arrear, may be cleared off by lengthening out the session ' beyond the beginning of the epoch sacred to the shooting of grouse, it may be even beyond the be ginning of that: dedicated to the sacrifice of par tridges. One of these inflictions is almost too much to be borne by ordinary mortals, or, at any rate (though it is pretty much the same thing), by ordinary M.P.'s with anything like equanimity ; but impose all of them together, and you would almost justify a vendetta. Last week, I instanced, as one of the most astound ing rumours from abroad, the statement put forth by one of the least flighty and most matter-of-fact jour nals of Paris, that the übiquitous and. Protean Rouher was to be installed as Viceroy in the posi tion of Governor of Algeria. Since then, accord ing to another Parisian publicist of yet more daring imagination, a still more startling change has come o'er the spirit of the dream of the great ex-Minister of State—seeing that (if we are to believe this Sir Oracle) France has in store for her, as the out-come of the plehiscitum of the Bth proximo, that most astonishing of all political monstrosities—an/011ivier-Rouher Cabinet. Talk of extremes meeting ! There, indeed, would be for once the visible rendezvous. It would be more than the marriage of May and December—more than the poetic phantasy of Winter in the lap of Spring. For rather than anything of ,this, it would be the realisation, for once, politically, of the well-known chemical ex periment of the laboratory, in the dexterous manipu lation of which one discovers a lump of ice in a red hot crucible. Another rumour of these last few days, and for which I am indebted . to your namesake of Dublin, is to the effect yet once more (I wonder how often the very same rumour has been afloat, and has been believed in !) that the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland is at length about to he resigned in earnest by the Earl Spencer, whose successor in the vice-regal chair will be the present Secretary for Ireland, Mr. Chichester Fortescue, Mr. then no longer, the hus band of the Counttss of Waldegrave, being himself then raise 1 to the level of the peerage of the United Kingdom. Two European notabilities of widely contrasting characters appear just now to be profoundly saddened by circumstances. Signor Mazziui, judging him by his last utterances, appears to be more than ever down-hearted—acknowledges, in fact, that he de pairs of his cwn generation. Count Bismarck, on the other hand, has just been stricken down by jaundice. A carious coincidence I wonder if anybody has ever yet bit upon besides myself, in reference to Pro fessor Wilson and "Boz" having very possibly and very happily derived some of their most whimsio.l names from—where do you think ? Pepy's Diary ! ['here, in that diary, among all diaries (just as Elia may be spoken of as that essayist among all essayists), you may find, if you care to look for it, the very nom de plume of the great professor, under date 30th December, 1667 (only, be it observed, with the added dignity of knighthood), in the person of one Sir Christopher North. Under date 26th Nov., 1666, you will light upon Sir Robert Sawyer, a knightly ancestor,may one suppose, of the knight of the pestle and mortar in "Pickwick." Under date 7th October, 1667, you will come to Willett, body ervant of Mistress Pepys, and also, one likes to con jecture at the same time, progenitor of that wonder fully obtuse old fat-head, John Willett, landlord of the Maypole, in " Barnaby Budge." Finally, under date 28th Dec., 1664, you may note the alter ego, by six or seven generations, of John Jasper, the opium-eating lay precentor in the choir of the old cathedral at Cloisterham, already familiar on both sides of the Atlantic to the multitudinous readers of the " Mystery of Edwin Drood." As mark ing merely a coincidence, the facts here alluded to are interesting so far in themselves, for inasmuch as they are thus doubly associated with the names so familiar in our national literature. A very remarkable picture is now on view in the neighbourhood of once fashionable Bond-street. " Behind the Scenes" is the title of it, a title in every way sufficiently suggestive. The artist is that grace ful, prolific, and conspicuously original illustrator of Tomahawk and Britannia, Mr. Matt Morgan. " Behind the Scenes," 'tis a trite old theme after all, and one that bas seldom had a more pathetic illustration than it obtained only the other day a little to the north of London, in the premature death of the young wife of one of our most brilliantly- succtss tul humourists, both ou the stage and In the comic periodicals; his great home sorrowing coming thus to Mr. F. C. Burnand in the very midst of the gayest, the wildest, and the most whimsical of his well known " Happy Thoughts," in Punch. On Saturday next, that is a week after the Satur day on which this letter will appear in your columns, there will be sold by public auction, in the mart of Messrs. Christie, Manson, and Co., in King-street, St. James's, by three of the clock in the afternoon, a picture, small enough, no doubt, in value, as a work of art, but, in another way, priceless, by reason of the grand old traditions attaching to it, and of its many noble and (for lettered Englishmen) historical and classical associations. It is the famous Felton portrait, or, as it is more generally called, the Droe thout portrait of Shakespeare. It is said to be the only portrait for which Shakespeare ever sat ; the painter to whom he gave these sittings being his friend and fellow play-actor, Richa►d Burbage. 'the painting is on a panel of wood, on the back of which are inscribed the names, the date, and the initials : " Gu : Shakespeare-1597.—R. B." Remembering, as who does not, the resounding verse in which Rare Ben Jonson celebrated, with the ten derest feeling and the most unaffected enthusiasm, what he regarded as the marvellous veriti,uilitude of this particular portraiture, when the amateur pain ter's art (meaning that of Burbage).had been yet fur ther distorted by the more rigid lines of the harder art of the engraver, DrQethout, one cannot but feel that R. B. must somehow have caught the more salient and distinctive features of that mobile and marvellous countenance—points recognisable at a glance to Shakespeare's own immediate friends and contemporaries, even in a picture that looks to us, in its intolerable rigidity, less a portrait than a carica ture. One consideration I cannot but r,dd, namely, that it will be a burning shame if this peerless, price less treasure (more, no doubt, of art than of litera ture) be permitted to pass any whither than into the National Portrait Gallery. For this, I would say, let us one and all hold her Majesty's Government responsible. Mr. Disraeli, two or three years ago, won the cheers of the House of Commons by boldly seizing the golden opportunity for the purchase, at a good round sum, for this nation of an inestimable collection of costly art treasures at Paris, long known as something very admirable indeed among the cognoscenti of Christendom. Can we hope for any art comparable to this from our present guardians of art and finance—from Mr. Lowe, or from Mr. Ay rton ? Here is an easy means for righting them selves with the public, by the simple and compara tively inexpensive method of purchasing Burbage's portrait of Shakspeare for the nation. everal private views to water-colour galleries and other collections are temptingly before me for to morrow (Saturday), too late, of course, for any re ference, beyond that of mere anticipation, being made to them in my present communication. PRUSSIAN OPINION OF ENGLAND. The policy of England in respect of the Central Asis question is exciting much attention in Prussia. An article in the Prussian Gear Book expresses the belief that Eng land is not sufficiently vigilant in guarding against the encroachments of Russia. The writer observes :—" Eng land is so rich, so cotented, and so sensitive with respect to her numerous and varied interests, that she shrinks from every contest. In this respect she reminds us of Holland in the eighteenteenth century, which carefully avoided every conflict. But other States are not in the same humour, and sooner or latter they may put her patience to such proof as will convince her it would have • been better to have made the necessary sacrifices at an earlier period, and to have secured firm alliances against the time of need. It is cheaper to adopt a well-defined diplomatic position, and to lend it emphasis by supporting a strong fleet in the back ground than in the end to brar the brunt of a great war with Russia alone. We hope England will pursue s vigilant and energetic policy with respect to India, for we are convinced the continuance of her power greatly depends on her Indian Empire being retained, and this we consider a matter of the very first importance for the interests of Germany and Europe." The Schlesische Zeitung make some observations on this essay :—" England is our natural ally, and were she weakened our loss would be irreparable. The English, it is true, will not take advice, but they are not quite indifferent to the state of public opinion on the Continent, and it cannot too frequently be repeated that States do not generally sink in times of great exertion, or under intolerable burdens, but after periods of the greatest apparent prosperity. The soldiers of Hannibal were the first who ruined themselves at Capua, but since then their story has been often re peated." LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. The Athenceunz says :—" A national monument to the memory of Dr. Chalmers " is projected, to consist of 0 , statue in Edinburgh and a lectureship in political economy , with one or more fellowships in Edinburgh University. 210,000 is required, and subscriptions are flowing in from men of all parties.—Lion -breeding is very successful at the Dublin Zoological Gardens. The society was the first to rear lion cubs in Europe ; and six have been recently born, of which five are doing well.—lt is now ascertained that Dr. Munck, the Swedish naturalist, is one of the many victims of Lopez. He was detained in prison for some tune, and then executed. His collections have been saved, and are on their way to Stockholm. -- Some forty years ago a trunk full of manuscripts was discovered at Madame D'Arblay's old residence, Camille' Cottage, in Surrey. They had been concealed with some care, and one person who was present at the discovery survives. As "little Burney "is known to have written more than she published, and as not half that she wrote illustrative of Court life was printed, we may express a curiosity as to the whereabouts of these manuscripts -- whether they consist of the numerous early stories Fanny Burney is supposed to have destroyed, or of anecdotes referring to Royal domestic life at Windsor or at Kew.-- Dr. George Macdonald is, we hear, preparing to make venture in dramatic iooetry.— They who remember hog merrily . Mr. George Meredith closed the year 1855 with " The Shaving of Shagpat," and who have marked his career as a writer of fiction since that period, will be glad to hear that a new novel from his pen is likely to appear some time this year. The Graphic has the following :—Mr. Disraeli's new novel, " Lothair," about which there has been natural much speculation, is understood to be of a political charan ter, and to develop many of the author's ideas upon prin ciples connected with popular progress. The hero is said to be a sketch from life, whose original is no less a person than a certain noble marquis who seceded from his late leader on the Reform question, and whose rivalry has since been not a little conspicuous. Lothair is represented as a man of great genius and gifts, who misuses his chances in life through narrow prejudices and faults of temper. In his general views the author is said to have anticipated points which he had intended reserving for his , autobiography.—Readers of Carlyle's French Revolution , may not feel exactly at home with a steady, painstaking/ and trustworthy German author. Yet they may reaa with great advantage Professor Von Sybel's (of Bonn) " History of the French Revolution." Professor Sybel'o first and second volumes were published some time back by Mr. John Murray, and readers will hail with pleasure the advent of the Professor's third and fourth volumes , completing the work from the establishment of the first committee of public safety to the end of 1795. We may add the book is translated by Mr. W. C. Perry. Yesterday the petition against the return of Mr• E. S. Robinson for Bristol was tiled in the Rule-office of the Court of Common Pleas. The long overdue Inman steamer City of Brussels reached Liverpool, last night in tow of several powerful steam tugs. Although it was dark at the time of herarrival there was a large crowd assembled. The Mortlake church-rate case of " Wigan and Ommaney v. Nelson," which has excited considerable public interest, has been settled, the defendant having paid the rate. _ _ A meeting of members of the Birmingham gun trade was held yesterday, at which it was resolved to adopt a petition to Parliament not to sanction the proposed tax. Yesterday the lion. C. C. Molyneux, Captain of the 10th Hussars, brother of the Earl of Sefton, wa s married to the lion. Caroline Elizabeth Lawley, the eldest daughter of Lord Wenlock, at the church in Escriclr, Yorkshire. The presentation dinner to Sir W. Stirling MO' well, Bart., of Keir and Pollock, took place in the City gag yesterday. The presentation consisted cf a quantity 0 ' silver plate of the value of £1,600, and comprised thre e candelabra, eight dessert dishes, a salver, and four beakers' all beautifully ornamented. Nine hundred gentlemen se t , down to dinner. The chair was occupied by the Earl of Mansfield. The Porte has authorised the establishment of large Jewish model-farm near Jaffa, and has made a gra nt of 2.600 denoums of crown land, permanently exempt fro' tithes, in favour of the enterprise. The Musical Standard says, at the instance of the Duke of Sax-Coburg, Madame Pauline Lucca has vis" ited Gotha, to appear at the Court Theatre in the •` Mignon e f Ambroise 'Thomas; and the invitation was accompanied 11 a gold medal and " cross of merit." The first repr: sentation of 6‘ Fantasio," Offenbach 'i s new opera (which has been for some time in the rehearse' stage of existence) is arranged to take place in Paris on the 20th of May.—Musical Standard. Only one fire was reported by Captain Shaw th is morning to the Board of Works as having happened in the Metropolitan district (a very unusual circumstance) during f the past 24 hours. This fire took place iu the prem ises Mr. Wheeler, a bread and biscuit baker, carrying on 1)0.51- ness in tho Lewisham-road, Kent. It is understood that the Weekly Dispatch is abou t to change hands, the property having been purchased of Air' George Stiff by Mr. John Baker for a large sum. The West African steamer Calabar . has arrive 3 at Liverpool, with a full cargo, 15 passengers, and 1,084 00 of gold dust. The Army and Navy Gazette says that the Flying Squadron, which will leave England in the autumn unde f he command of a young and smart flag officer, wi ll visit Australia. A sad accident occurred at Northampton Theatre on Thursday night, by which a popular dancer, Miss Li l l Davis, nearly lost her life. She was engaged, with me Lizzie Humphreys, in dancing the " Can-can," when 10 1 ' 1 some unexplained cause, whilst bounding to the front, sb ° fell over the footlights into the orchestra. fler dress camel° contact with the gas jets, and in an instant the light gailzia material was a mass of flames. A couple of gentle men rush° to the assistance of the unfortunate young wom an, and '3.0: veloped her in their coats with a view to extinguish the flames, in which they were successful. Yesterday inorni3O hopes were entertained that she would recover, although6'. has been much , burued, and the shock to the sy stem has beet ' very gr TIIE co'. on 'CI Passing, I mproved Ilea declii 'way s t h at r emain al Shares th "iVe dE tinder 3 i Con so i St oc k , Exchec ditto £1( a India ditto 5 cent., 5 per cen In tie ' 91 i to 9 89i; E 81 ; Its Alexican. Fi fe pex Th ree pe eents, 1 71 t 4 0 In the I Vek3te rn British shire, i Irestern, 9 , 1 i to uo tt i an7 Great N 427 i ; 13 aad Yor] I ttcii _ l 7 l ; '). t 1) 0 , 1:11 1:1 1).; e ,er it Io o: tycl Court cn Ortifkir 7i I D, 1) 0. 4t