The Sun. — London, England, 1870-12-16 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SUN OFFICE, 8 THE WAR, THE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS. MARGENcY, December 14. The commencement of the bombardment of Paris may be expected as soon as the batteries on the eastern side are ready to begin. The chief cause of delay has been the necessity for awaiting a full supply of ammunition. It may be ten or fourteen days before preparations are complete. The troops are becoming Tory impatient for the bombardment. The frost and snow have gone, and the weather stow is wet and warm. The roads are very heavy. The health of the troops is good. MORE ENGAGEMENTS ON THE LOIRE. BORDEAUX, December 14. The Moniteur states that reinforcements are re peatedly arriving from the East and West of France, and are being dispatched to the French generals, in order to render impregnable, several important Porsitions. These reinforcements are equally divided among the two armies of the Loire. The Prussians have arrived at Montrichard and Ramorantin. Several engagements have been fought between the different army corps encamped on the line of battle extending from Le Mans beyond Vierzon. No mails from Belgian since the sth, none from England since the 7th ; and none at all from Tours. GERMANS RETIRLNG. December 15. No intelligence is as yet known of the attack on Blois. The valley is almost entirely filled with the enemy, other corps of whom occupy tke left bank of the river Loire. _ _ The evacuation by the enemy of the triangle formed by Verneuil, Brezolles, and Dreux has been confirmed. Dieppe is also clear of Germans. On the Lower Seine, the enemy appears for the allost part to have retired. Evreux has been occupied. HAVRE, December 14. The Prussians have retreated from around Havre. Rumours are in circulation that the French have gained some important victories, but nothing cer tain is known. FIGHTING IN THE NORTH. LILLE, December 15. A fresh Prussian corps has been hastily despatched from before Paris to oppose the advance of General Paidherbe. Several engagements have taken place between Ham and LA` Fere. Two hundred Prus sians were captured between Ham and Flavy. Prussian column of 2,500 men from Erchea appear ing before Ham an engagement took place, lasting all the morning. Fighting has also taken place at &Übigny. The Prussians in the neighbourhood of Albert have captured two agents of the Telegraph Adminis tration engages in repairing the lines. On Sunday night a French detachment captured Prussian convoy of requisitions, in charge of 100 Prussians, between Virey and Vouel. Sixteen Prus elan prisoners captured between Ham and La Fere have been taken to St. Quentin. On Sunday troops of Uhlans appeared in the Department of Pas-de-Calais. Forty of them were seen near Beaumetz-les-Lodge, 10 kilometres from 'l4rae. ORDER OF THE DAY BY THE KING. BERLIN, December 15 (4 p.m.) A. general order has been issued by the King of Prussia to his troops. His Majesty says We enter upon a new phase of the war. Every attempt of the enemy to break through the line of invest ment has been in vain. The armies of the enemy Which advanced from all sides for the relief °t Paris, have all been repulsed. The King thanks 14 3 soldiers, adding that, should the enemy persist in the prosecution of the war, he is confident the eoldiers will evince the same ardour to which the successes hitherto achieved are due, till an honour able peace is secured worthy of Germany's great sacrifices of blood and life." THE GERMAN LOSS AT ORLEANS. A report from the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg announces the losses of. the 33rd Infantry Brigade 11 1 the engagements before Orleans, from the 2nd to the 4th inst., and near Beaugency, from the 7th to the 10th inst., to be 27 officers, five acting sergeant kajors, one surgeon, and 712 rank and file wounded, nine officers and 117 rank and file killed, and 73 A NOVEL PROPOSAL BY M. TRIERS. THE HAGUE, December 13. The Brussels correspondent of the Vaderland states positively that.M. Thiers, before proceeding to V ersailles, said at St. Petersburg that his intention Was to propose the abandonment of Count Bismarck's uemand for the annexation of Alsace, and the appro- Pliation of Belgium and Holland instead. The Plan,. however, was not received with favour e ither at St. Petersburg or at Vienna. THE GERMANS TIRING OF_ WAR. BERLIN, December 13. There prevails here a growing determination to terminate the war, if that can be possibly done. Count Bismarck's organ,the Norddeutsche Allgenzeine Zeitung, insists. on the convocation of the Conseils %ndraux., and the choice from among their mem bora of delegates to a National Assembly, with the ° l3 ject of reconstructing the Government of France 411 d concluding a peace. The French have placed a new heavy piece of ° till:lance on Mont Valerian, which on the 9th threw 481 1 ell within 1,500 yards of the residence of Prince uharles at Versailles. Xing William is said to be annoyed at the curt 1111 1111er in which the last purlementaire was sent back from Paris. It is probable that the King will 11 °t any longer oppose a bombardment. The Prussians expect a sortie in the direction of k eudon, their position being comparatively weak on 'JAM point. :he Castle at Versailles is used as a lazarette, 'doh accommodates from - 200 to 300 wounded. CANADA AND THE UNITED, STATES. WASHINGTON, December 13. 15 ,,,General Butler has presented a petition to the ' lol lse of Representatives, signed by 2,000 citizens _. Gloucester, praying Congress to demsnd an in- Z a lnity for the losses entailed upon American fisher 11tbY the action of Canada, :and to declare, as a ret aliatory measure, that commercial intercourse with ai ltuia, should cease. This petition was referred to the ° ° l3 llYlittee on Foreign Affairs. A letter from Soissons to the Echo du Nord says : German is a large hospital. Every day thousands of b i :ltan wounded arrive here, coming from all parts, sP rft eeia.lly from Paris, and these are almost all blind. `" Prussian garrison is horror stricken at this sight." • „ order to keep his military operations a secret, Gene Trochu has issued an order for the suppression of the Po_ s tal servic e i n a ll the su b ur b an commu n es not in the I :°ftessio n of the enemy. Letters from Paris will not, prefore, be sent to the forts nor to the army of opera- This inconvenience is very willingly submitted the conviction that the order was a necessary one. w. E: )epart- rate taking in the the de- Forster in the ntance. a in the by the Canon were as erfectly in the iestion, en were power sirable. ncluded west in ) doors, y of the o'clock. He was ugh he L that Lt with irregu irked on without ,nces in illing to it was e ns had ins not election,, ost won own in many of one but he eard the that this ay, more or, hear.) f voting was also that had thought election. l one he was that , and he so well re would and that ptember. rest care Election Roman 4 similar ction of a , 1 School held in under the embers of ng Lord Professor Avies, Sir tson, Dr. I. Smith. uliar cir mportant i the eon they bad rmonious, ar created anent. t to deter the office perfectly lament if Lairman at e should ept that expenses. rmanship. actual re power of In that ted ; they a than to he did not should be different l see that ar.) The and that laving the he should ipacity a and would ight arise. )1e not to 6n himself, of least - y—for the the words embarrass Professor be done on [ Professor Chairman airman of tistical in his having peculiarly blage like .I'., urging ;ged school 'T seconded aconded by n, and the I, 10; Mr . )r Huxley we :—Lord 8, 11. The Reed, and ected by a onour con roposed by 3or Huxley Mr. Reed, 1 that were the board, g of the from each recommend Liverpool definitely Liverpool. :lands, near . Hardman f £l,OOO or Derby will do Lhuys, ident of the a letter to 'field Show e made by of relieving' ie devasta rill be held ktinister of Je stored in itted to the THE LUXEMBURG QUESTION. BERLIN, December 15, (4,10 p.m.) The Luxemburg affair will lead to no complica tions. Though Luxemburg, in consequence of the Prussian declaration, ceases to be a State neutralised by the common consent of all Europe, it is, nevertheless, acknowledged as an independent State. Only in the event of Luxemburg openly supporting France and injuring Germany would the latter be provoked to reprisals. But this is very improbable, seeing that the Grand Duke of Luxemburg is evidently not disquieted by the Prussian Note. The statement of the Brussels, Luxemburg, and Vienna Press, that the Grand Duke would not object to cede the Duchy to Ger many, is not contradicted at Amsterdam.—Times. The Telegraph publishes the following telegrams: — AMSTERDAM, December 15 (Night). The Handelsblad of this city recommends that the King of Ilolland should abdicate the Sovereignty cf the Duchy of Luxemburg in favour of some German Prince, assuming the consent of the population• It points out the importance of Luxemburg to Ger many on account of the military road into Lorraine, and adds that Luxemburg cannot be a member of the Zollverein without undertaking Federal duties. BERLIN, December 15 (1.15 p.m.) Count Bismarck's Circular Note on the Luxem burg question has not yet been received at Berlin; but it is officially understood to have been for some days in the hands of ine British Government. It is asserted in Vienna that arrangements for the purchase of the Grand Ducal territory have already been concluded between the German and Dutch G overnments. BRUSSELS, December 15. Complete good understanding exists between the Prussian and the Belgian Governments, and the latter has officially received the thanks of the Ger man Cabinet for the perfect loyalty with which it has enforced the observance of its neutrality—in such marked contrast to the conduct of England and of Luxemburg. • The Prussian policy, now adopted, of self-protec tion in regard to Luxemburg, is reported to be looked upon with entire approval by Belgium. It is Stated that the King of Holland has sent the following telegram to the Government of Luxem burg : _ _ will defend the Treaty of 1867 and the honour and independence of the Grand Duchy. I approve all the acts of the Grand Ducal Govern ment." The Daily News telegrams are as follow : VIENNA, December 15. In the Luxemburg question the Austrian Govern ment has confined itselt to inquiring at the Hague into the accuracy of the Prussian demands, and in forming itself as to the attitude of England. _ The reported arrangement between Rumia and Turkey previous to the Conference is confirmed by the Presse. BRUSSELS, Docember 15. The Luxemburg Chamber assembles to-morrow to receive a communication from the Government on the subject of the action taken by Prussia with regard to the neutrality of the Duchy. THE EASTERN QUESTION. BERLIN, December 15. The Golos of St. Petersburg expects that invi tations to the London Conference will be distributed immediately on the reception of the last- Russian Note, which was probably delivered in London yesterday. ST. PETERSBURG, December 15. In reply to Prince Gortschkoff, Count Beust, in his last note, says :--64 Austria adheres to the Con ference without previously adopting any resolution as to the questions to be discussed. She is only animated by the desire to insure peace in the East, and to effect a lasting settlement of the subjects of dispute now prevailing, and at the same time to spare the national suscep tibilities of Russia without weakening the guaran tees which had been judged necessary by the Powers." An Imperial manifesto has appeared ordering a levy to be made of six men in every thousand of the male population. BORDEAUX, December 15. The statement' which has appeared in certain journals that France has declined to take part in the Conference on the Eastern question is incor rect. The position of affairs at present is officially said to be that the neutral Powers, regarding the presence of a French representative as necessary if a European agreement is to be arrived at, are now oc cupied in devising means to facilitate the entrance of the French Government to the Conference. • (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) SYMPATHY WITH THE POPE. A monster meeting was held last evening at Thurles, Tipperary, to express sympathy with the Pope. Arch bishop Leahy presided, and argued that if the overthrow of the Pope's Government was to be permitted no small Government could be considered secure. The British Government, apart from international obligations, ought to be called upon to defend the interests of its Catholic subjects, menaced at Rome. The Catholics would support no Government and elect no member unwilling to espouse the cause of the Pope. THE IRISH CLERICAL LIBEL CASE. In the action for slander brought by the Rev. Mr. O'Keefe, parish priest of Callan, against the Rev. Mr. Walsh, a priest officiating under him, ,the jury in the Dublin Court of Queen's Bench returned a verdict for the plaintiff, with £lOO damages and, 6d. costs. DAMAGES AGAINST A RAILWAY COMPANY. Mr. Vincent Kinborn, commission agent, of Manches ter, at the Liverpool Assizes, yesterday, obtained a ver dict for £5OO against the London and North-Western Railway Company. Mr. Kinborn was injured in a colli sion in July, 1869, on defendants' line, and sustained con cussion of the brain. CHILD MURDER. Charlotte Elliott, a servant girl from Ashford, iu Kent, was sentenced to death at the Liverpool Assizes, yesterday, for murdering her newly-born male child at Liverpool, under circumstances of peculiar atrocity. GUN ACCIDENT. Yesterday afternoon a visitor on board the yacht Avoca, belonging to a Havre gentleman, took up a revolver lying in the cabin, when the captain, removing it from his hand and explaining its make, snapped two or three caps. He was repeating the process when one of the barrels sent a full charge into the abdomen of the visitor, who now lies in a dangerous condition. A SCREW STEAMER ASHORE. A telegram reached Kirkcaldy yesterday stating that the screw steamer Victoria, Captain Gay, belonging to Allan and Co., London, had gone ashore at North Ber wick. Crew saved. Cargo required to be discharged. The Victoria is 350 tons burden, and was making her first voyage to London, with a general cargo, a part of which only is insured. The vessel left here early on Wednesday morning, when a strong easterly wind was blowing. Some hours later a severe storm of wind and rain set in, and con siderable anxiety was felt for her safety. HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED) RAPE. pletely spoilt an umbrella in defending herself. was remanded on both charges. LEICESTERSHIRE ASSIZES. Prisoner At the Leicestershire Assizes yesterday, before Mr. Justice Lush, in the case of George Perkins, against whom the grand jury found a true bill for the murder of a carrier named Thomas Knight, at Barrow-on-Soar, by kicking him about the head till death ensued, Mr. Met calf, for the prisoner, applied for the case to stand over until the Spring -Assizes, on the ground that ono medical man in the case was dead, and the other ill in bed; and it was prejudicial to prisoner if the opportunity not afforded of cross-examining the doctors as to death being aided by contributing causes. Mr. Rutherford, for the prosecution, not objecting, the ease was ordered to stand over. In the case of Mary Ann Harrison, wife of a farmer, for murdering her child of the same name, by drowning it in a pit containing only about two feet of water and mud, in which she also was found in an exhausted state, was also allowed to stand over, the prisoner now being in the County Asylum. The Judge said that this was a most distressing case, as the prisoner was passionately fond of the child, and it was a question whether she got into the pit accidentally or purposely. At Tunstall Police-court, yesterday, Michael Fury was charged with attempted rape and highway robbery. M rs . Colelough was walking from Talke to Tunstall, on Wed nesday, when she was passed by the prisoner, who went forward and stopped till she approached ; he then turned on•her, threw her down, attempted to commit a rape, and robbed her of a watch and all the money she had. Pri soner, when apprehended, was found to be a person who was wanted for an offence of a like character, committed in 1868. This was proved by Mrs. Mary Thornhill, who had beemsimilarly treated in Bradwell Woods, and com- TB E SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1870. NAPOLEON AT WILHELMSHOHE Writing from Wilhelmshohe, December 12, the corres pondent of the Telegraph says t---While the fall of the capital has been expected for the last three weeks, and, by the latest computations, was to take place at the close of November, it is now considered useless to venture any more predictions in a matter not less uncertain than important ; all speculation with regard to the ultimate surrender of Paris has ceased. The Emperor enjoys perfect health, and daily takes an airing on foot or horseback. There have been no arrivals of late at the Castle. All reports about a second visit of the Empress, and her presence here, are incorrect. On Friday, during a walk through the park with several gentlemen of his suite, the Emperor spoke freely on the chances of his restoration. "It would be well," he said, " if it were publicly understood that I never intend to re mount the throne on the strength of a military pronuncia- miento—by the aid of the soldiery, just as little as by that of Prussia. I am the sole Sovereign who governs, next to the grace of God, by the will of the people ; and I shall never be unfaithful to the origin of my authority. The whole people, which has four times approved of my election, must recall me by its deliberate votes, else I shall never return to France. The army possesses no more right to place me on the throne than had the lawyers and loafers to push me from it. The French - people, whose Sovereign I am, has the sole decision." In the further course of the conversation, the Em peror spoke very highly regarding an article contained in Count Bismarck's organ s the . Nord Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, of the 9th instant, respecting the de facto and de jure authority in France ; calling it well written, " tres-sense et tres adroit." Yesterday, someone mentioned to Napoleon the protest of certain French officers who, in the Indepenelance Beige, publish a declaration against the re-establishment of the Bonaparte dynasty. The Emperor thereupon related that, shortly after the plebiscite of May 1870, the Minister of War shewed him a list containing the names of several hundred officers who secretly—in a few cases almost openly—had engaged in agitations favourable to the Orleans dynasty. The Minister wished to know what was to be done in the matter. Napoleon, looking over the list, called the Minister's attention to the fact that nearly all on it were Lieutenants, only a few Captains, and scarcely one a superior officer. The Emperor then handed to him the copy of 'a letter written in the year 1859 or 1860, by the Duc d'Aumalo, wherein he counselled all adherents of the Orleans family to send their sons to the Military Academy of St. Cyr. Being asked again by the Minister, some time afterwards, what steps should be taken, the Emperor replied, " None whatever." " Thus," said Napoleon, "the officers who publish the present protest do not deserve to be charged with having turned anti-Bonapartists on account of the ill success of our arms." I am informed, on the best authority, that for the last ten years a conspi racy has existed for the object of flooding the French army with officers of Orleanist sympathies. This statement, if true, carries out the views expressed by the Emperor. The new Bonapartist journal in Brussels, Le Drapeau, is supported by funds advanced by Count Raimbeau, who gave 300,000 f. to start it: . Marshal Bazaine does not leave his house or room. He has not been seen outside for the last ten days. Some would have it that he has left on a secret mission. This I know to be untrue. THE DERRY APPRENTICE BOYS. Last night the Londonderry police broke open the rooms of the Apprentice Boys, and seized the effigy of Lundy, which, however, they did not remcrye. Soldiers and police were stationed throughout the city to prevent disturbances. RESPITE OP PATRICK RILEY. The Governorlof Leeds Gaol has received notice of the respitelof the sentence of death passed upon Patrick Riley, for the murder of a waiter at Bradford. DIVORCE CASE AT DUBLIN. In the Dublin Provincial Court yesterday, the divorce suit, Taylor v. Taylor, was concluded. Mr. Justice Battersby decreed Mrs. Taylor permanent alimony, and £l5O per annum for the support of her three children. The same to be paid quarterly. THE MANCHESTER AND SALFORD !EDUCA- TION BOARDS. The first meeting of the Manchester School Board was held yesterday. Mr. Herbert Birley was elected chairman by nine votes to six ; and Mr. W. R. Callender, jun., was appointed vice-chairman. Both of these gentlemen are Churchmen. Dr. Watts moved that it should be an in struction to the sub-committee appointed to frame bye laws, to consider whether they should not be framed so as to give the power to enforce attendance. Mr. W. R. Callender seconded the motion. The Rev. Canon Toole moved that the consideration of the question should be postponed. The amendment was carried by nine votes against six. Several members, how ever, who voted for the amendment stated that they were in favour of compulsion ; and others said they thought the principle must ultimately be adopted. The chairman thought compulsion must bo the last resort, and opposed the motion strenuously. The first meeting of the Salford Board was also held yesterday. Mr. Herbert Birley was appointed chairman here as well. LIVERPOOL SCHOOL BOARD. At the first meeting of the Liverpool School Board, yesterday,Mr. Christopher Bushell;a member of the Church of England, was elected chairman, and Mr. J. Johnson Stitt, Nonconformist, vice-chairman. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD. Mr. W. L. Sargent was unanimously elected chairman of the Birmingham School Board yesterday afternoon. SHEFFIELD SCHOOL BOARD. Sir John Brown was yesterday appointed chairman of the Sheffield School Board. Mr. Markfirth was elected vice-chairman. LEEDS SCHOOL BOARD. Sir Andrew Fairbairn was yesterday elected chairman of the Leeds School Board. Mr. Jowitt was chosen vice chairman. ST. JAMES'S HALL.-MR. BENEDICT'S " ST. PETER." The production of Mr. Benedict's magnificent oratorio, " St. Peter, " here, on Tuesday last, will hence forward be regarded as a great event in musical circles, because nothing at all approaching it has been produced since Mendelssohn gave us " St. Paul" The great hall was crowded in every part by a most distinguished audience, and from first to last the oratorio was one continued series of triumphs and ovations. The first performance of the great work at the last Birmingham Festival called forth such long, minute, and complimentary criticism, that on the present occasion we feel we need only record the won derful success with which the oratorio has been re ceived in London. The soloists on Tuesday evening were Mdlle. Titiens, Madame Patsy, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Raynham, and Herr Stockhausen. The overture "Evening by the Sea at Galilee ""was superbly given, and when Madame Patey gave the first contralto recitative " And Jesus, walking by the Sea," the enthusiasm of the audience was evoked, and it never subsided until the last note of the great work had been heard. The quartett 0 come let us sing unto the Lord," by Mdlle. Titiens, Madame Patey, Mr. Raynham, and Herr Stockhausen was one of the remarkable features of the first portion of the work, and so superbly was it given that before silence could be restored it had to be repeated. Mr. Sims Reeves sang the two pieces for the tenor in the first part "Repent ye" and "O house of Jacob" very finely, but his great effort WAS in the latter portion of the work " The Lord is very pitiful" and in the recitative and air " Daughters of Jerusalem," although, perhaps, the great vocalist has sung with greater power than on Tuesday, yet in our opinion he has never sung with finer taste. Madame Titiens, it is almost needless to say, sang with faultless precision and excellence, and although her portion of the music abounded with difficulties, she sang it with an ease, power, and pathos that fairly charmed the audience. " The Lord hath his way" and " I mourn as a dove" as sung by Titiens, were the very perfection of vocalisa tion. Madame Patey, by her superb rendering of her part of the oratorio, has taken her place as the first contralto in the musical world, an honour, we hope, she will long continue to hold. Herr Stockhausen and Mr. Raynham sung their portion of the music with great care, and re ceived the warmest applause of the audience. The chorus was equal to the great occasion. The various composi tions were given with the greatest steadiness and preci. sion and the audience were not slow to recognise the excellence of their performance. The gifted composer, who conducted the performance, received such an ova tion that he seemed almost overpowered, again and again the applause was renewed, and it was only after repeated bowing that he was allowed to retire. Mr. Benedict has, in our opinion, produced a work that entitles him to a place amongst the greatest composers the country has ever known, aud his oratorio of St. Peter will henceforth rank with the works of Handel and Mendelssohn. THE BARNSLEY RAILWAY COLLISION. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM.) The inquest on the 14 persons killed by the railway collision at Stairfoot, near Barnsley, was resumed yester day, and occupied over nine hours. Twelve witnesses, including the various pointsmen on the line where the accident occurred, and the guards and drivers of the passenger and goods trains, were examined. The evidence went to show that the waggons which ran down the in cline and caused the collision were going at a speed of not less than from 30 to 40 miles an hour. The guard of the goods train attributed the accident to his missing the coupling hook of one of the waggons, and to the breakage of a sprag which was intended to hold them. He could have stopped the detached waggons if he had been able to .get another sprag. Some - medical evidence having been taken the eproner summed up; and at nine o'clock the jury had not returnef/. their verdict The jury eventually returned the following verdict : "We are of opinion that William Allerton and others have come to their death by a collision caused by the breaking away of a goods train from Barnsley Station; that such goods' train broke away owing to the guard, John Heathers, not having properly spragged the waggons, and to improper shunting. We are also of opinion that the Railway Company at all inclines where goods wag ons have to be shunted to form trains should provide catchpoints immediately below the siding. In answer to the coroner, the Foreman said the opinion of the jury was that John Heathers was guilty of manslaughter. He was ' admitted to bail. We are informed from the General Post Office that the wires passing through Leeds, which were reported to be damaged by fire, have been repaired, and the com munication restored. Mr. Bonamy Price, M.A.., Worcester College, OXford, will commence his course of lectures as Professor of Political Economy, on Friday, the 27th of January, at the Old Clarendon-buildings, Oxford. OUTSIDE PARIS. In a letter dated from the Royal Headquarters at Versailles, December 11, the special correspondent of the Telegraph says:—Every morning and evening a few salvoes have been fired from the French forts and earthworks ; but I imagine that the artillerymen have merely • been emptying long-loaded guns, or testing new ones—for no loss whatever has been caused to the German forces by these spasmodic , discharged. I am told to-day that a pldbiscite has actually been held in Paris, and that its result is an overwhelming majority in favour of war to the knife ; but, although I have made researches in various quarters invariably the most promptly supplied with intramural intelligence, I cannot obtain any trustworthy confirmation of this state ment. Rightly or wrongly, the belief has established itself here, in the highest military circles, that Trochu and Gambetta possess means of communication which have hitherto escaped the spades, nets, and general watch fulness of the investing army. D'Aurelle de Paladine's inconceivable retreat from a fortified position which, I am assured by English officers of great experience, he might have held for an almost unlimited period of time with 30,000 men against six times that number, may have been one move in a game that has been prearranged by himself and the Commander of Paris. That he should have been offered a new command, ere the Commis sion of Inquiry appointed to investigate his con duct in abandoning Orleans has pronounced its verdict, is an altogether inexplicable circumstance, which looks very much as if the French Go vernment were endeavouring to throw dust into Prussian eyes. The vote for guerre a outrance would also go far to prove that Paris is much more abUndantly victualled than any unprejudiced testimony, such as has reached the English press from its agents within the walls, has hitherto led us to believe. The capital may be still provided with stores of food that will enable it to hold out-until the end of February. If our generals make up their minds that such is the case, I do not see how they can well postpone any longer the prosecution of active siege operations. Germany is getting uneasy about her sons, and furious at the obstinacy of her enemy, who will not admit himself vanquished. She will insist—and, considering the peculiarly national character of her army, she has undoubtedly a right to do so—that the sufferings of German men shall not be further prolonged on account of any sentimental considerations whatsoever, nor because differences of opinion with regard to the most expedient method of reducing Paris arise between exalted military personages at the Royal Aeadquarters. The - great guns — nominal 75-pounders, that throw shell weighing about 2 cwt.—will have to be brought up, at whatever cost ; and horses will have to be found for their transport between Lagny and their ultimate positions, whether these horses be supplied by the Ministry of War or by the train of the armies in the field. If Paris have still two months' pro visions on hand, far too much time has been lost already, and a great many valuable lives have been uselessly sacri ficed. Trochu, in that case, has been allowed materhlly to improve his means of defence, to the evident detriment of the German soldier's interest. Observing, as do, that a strong conviction with regard to the resources of Paris, exactly the converse of that as earnestly enter tained a fortnight since, is daily gaining ground among the men here who hold the reins of military power in their hands, I cannot but think that the long-talked-of bombardment will shortly be commenced ; that is, so soon as the chief of the artillery, to whom its execution will be entrusted, shall have accumulated so.vast a store of ammunition and projectiles that, once his terrible task begun, he shall run no risk of its being interrupted by any shortcomings in the rear of his batteries. CRYSTAL PALACE. -- One Shilling Day, Fri day, December 15th, 1870.—Admissions by season tickets 2,068 ; ditto on payment, 1,036 ; total visitors, 3,104. DEATH OF AN IRISH CLERK OF THE PEACE. The Freeman's Journal announces that Russell O'Shaugh nessy, Esq., J.l'., solicitor, Clerk of the. Peace for the the county of Limerick, and who has not been long in the enjoyment of the office, died at - his residence, Charleville, on Monday, alter a protracted illness. He succeeded the late Mr. John O'Donnell in 1869. The situation is said to be worth £5OO a year. Mr. O'Shaughnessy was a consistent and thorough Liberal, and is much regretted by all who knew him. A GENTLEMAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT.-Mr. Charles Hunt, of No. 74, Tavistock-crescent, Westbourne Park, and who had previously given name and address as Capt. Hunt, Brickban. Hall, Morton, Kent, was charged before Mr. Knox, at the Marlborough-street Police-court, with behaving in a disorderly manner at the -Portland-road Railway Station. Mr. White, superintendent of the Metropolitan Railway, watched the case. Inspector Joseph Armsbury, of the Metropolitan Railway, said that on the previous evening his attention was called to the prisoner, who was on the platform of the station using grossly obscene language, and who, he was informed, had insulted a lady. The lady came to him and claimed his protection, stating that the prisoner had very much insulted her. He took the prisoner into a room, and he gave his name and address, and then went out on the platform and began cursing and swearing, and said he would fight any of them, and asked the lady who she was, and as his language became very bad he had to give him into custody. Mr. Joseph Luckie, poulterer, of No. 117, Great Portland-street, deposed that on the previous evening he was sitting in a recess at the station, when a lady told him the prisoner had annoyed her, and asked to be protected, on which the, prisoner said, " You call yourself a laily, you are not, you are only a -- woman," and on his expostulating with the prisoner, he said, "What the devil is it to. you," and called him a " City 'clerk " and other things, and on his telling the prisoner he had better go away he threatened to knock him down. Mr. Richard Tabb, relieving officer of St. Marylebone, proved hearing the prisoner make use of very bad lan guage, and on his advising the prisoner to go away he said he -would fight any amongst them. He (Mr Tabb) told the inspector_ that if he did not have the prisoner locked up he would, as his language was very disgusting, and the pri soner then said that he had been nine years in the Army, that lie had plenty of money, and that he would fight anybody. The prisoner said he had been drinking out and taken a little too much to drink, and his temper got the better of him. He did call the witness a clerk, and was sorry for doing so, and if he had insulted the lady he would give a written apology if it would be accepted. He had been locked up all night, and had not been well lately. Mr. White said the lady was unable to attend that day. Mr. Knox said the prisoner talked •of having been locked up all night, and had he, been locked up for a month it would have served him right, as he had not only insulted a lady, but abused those who protected her. The highest penalty he could impose was a fine of 405., and that lie should impose. If the lady thought proper to take out a summons against the prisoner she could do so, and he (Mr. Knox) would pursue the matter to the end.i OUR CO fiIiVIPO ,ARIi.]S---This Morning' THE LUXE3IBURG QUESTION. The Times remarks : The Cabinet assembled yesterday afternoon to discuss the answer that should be returned to Count Bismarck's circular on the Treaty of 1867, and sAt several hours before the terms of the reply were defi nitely settled. We believe that in thus maturely delibe rating before deciding on the proper course to be adopted the Ministers of the Crown have accurately reflected the spirit of the people. We feel equally convinced that their final decision will be emphatically supported by the opinion of the nation. It is impossible to exaggerate the reluctance we should all feel at being obliged to confess that we were bound in honour to regard Count Bismarck's denunciation of the Treaty of London, as in volving a possible cams bclli. The reluctance may be attributed by our detractors to the cowardice that fears danger, or to the selfishness that loves ease, or it may be due, as we would fain think ourselves, to a sencsible apprehension of the horrors of war, but whatever its cause, the reluctance exists. We admit it. On the other hand, there is an equally profound sense that connivance at the pretensions of the Geiman Chancellor would be fatal to the good faith of international engegements without which Europe would have to apprehend a succession of internecine con tests., such as we are now witnessing throughout France, to determine the relative strength of nations. Under the circumstances, what course was open to the Ministry? One, and one only. England acknowledges the receipt of Count Bismarck's Circular, and observes that the Chan cellor of the German Confederation denounces the obligations of the Treaty of 1867, on the ground that Luxemburg has violated the condition of neutrality imposed by it on the Grand Duchy. It cannot, however, fail to remark that the Treaty placed the neutrality of Luxemburg under the collective guarantee of several Powers, including the United Kingdom, and under this Convention each of the - _ signing Powers contracted certain obligations towards its colleagues as well as towards the Grand Duchy which was the primary occasion of the Con vention. The Foreign Secretary is bound, therefore, to demur to the assumption that any one of the guaran- teeing Powers can repudiate the obligations it has con tracted towards its colleagues before submitting a case to justify the step, and giving an opportunity for exa mining it. The Daily Ivews says :—Her Majesty's Ministers met yesterday to consider the substance and terms of their reply to Count Bismarck's abrupt repudiation of the Treaty of London. Without pretending to information as to Cabinet secrets, we may venture to assert that the Queen's advisers are of one mind as to the attitude which it is becoming that England should assume. She cannot recognise in Prussia, any more than in Russia, any right to tear up treaties at her will, and to avoid her own obligations by renouncing them. The Treaty of 1867 does not cease to be in force even though it should not have been strictly observed by Luxemburg, a point which yet remans to be proved. Stipu lations which have been lately interpreted, and imperfectly acted on, may require to be more stringently interpreted and more rigidly observed in future; but the remedy for past neglect is not to be found in discarding them, and declining to observe them at all. Luxemburg is responsible for the observance of a strict neutrality, not to Prussia only, but to the States to whose collective guarantee she owes her present position. It was not the duty nor within the right of Prussia to declare the compact null and void the moment that the alleged violations of it came to her knowledge. She ought rather to have communi cated to the Grand-Ducal Government her causes of complaint, to have demanded investigation into them, and if they should prove to be real, to have required indemnity for the past and security against similar injuries in the future. Whatever may be the action of individuals, it is difficult to believe that the authorities of Luxemburg- can have ...5... themselves either committed or connived at any viola tion of neutrality to the injury of Prussia. Common prudence would dictate a course precisely opposite to- , wards a great and successful military Power at the very moment when it _is talking of readjusting its frontier at the expense of its neighbours, and of guarding the enlarged border with a new line of strong holds. The moment which Russia chose for repudiating the Black Sea Convention is censured even in Prussia as having been selected because the Powers who are partieS to the Treaty of Paris were occupied in other matters. We should be sorry to think that the North German Chancellor had chosen a time to carry out a lawless project when, to the other complications of Europe, a Russian difficulty hadbeen added, when Austria was absorbed in the Eastern Question, and when the mili tary resources of Germany were in their highest state of organisation and equipment, and not only ready for the field, but in it. The Telegraph, in discussing Count Bismarck's cir cular says :—As a matter of argument, Prussia will doubtless declare that the exigencies of her military posi tion require her instantly to stop the system by which Luxemburg is said to have become a city of refuge for her enemies ; and, if she finds it convenient to occupy the Duchy, she will represent the step as being undertaken in self-defence. We may suspect that the occupation is only the first step towards permanent annexation ; but, in itself, the mere passage of the Luxemburg frontier by German troops would not constitute such a violation of the Treaty of 1867 as to necessitate the inter vention of the Powers that have guaranteed its neutrality. .No doubt, if we thought it expedient to resist the occu pation, with the view of staking off the risk of fur ther encroachnients, we should be p erfectly justi fied in so doing ; but we do not believe that we are compelled to choose between resisting this act or repudiating our Treaty obligations. During the Crimean War, the Western Powers occupied the Pirfeus, in order to hinder Greece from furnishing aid to Russia; and, in the same way, if Prussia were as free from any suspicion of a wish to annex Luxemburg as France and England were of any desire to seize upon the Hellenic Kingdom, no great objection would be raised to the temporary occupation of the Grand Duchy. It may be urged, and with reason, that Prussia intends to keep Luxemburg ultimately ; but there is all the difference in the world between a temporary occupation and a violent annexation. Prussia has committed many high-handed acts, yet hitherto she has committed no such flagrant breach of international law as would be involved in the sudden seizure of a State belonging to 1 a kingdom with whom she is on terms of peace and amity. We dwell upon this fact, not with any view to palliate the conduct of the Prussian Govern ment, but in order to show that the question with which we have immediately to deal is, not whether Prussia should be allowed to annex Luxemburg, but whether, if she were so minded, she should be permitted to occupy it for military purposes. The importance of keeping these two issues distinct and separate lies in the fact that our own liability with reference to the Treaty of 1867 varies materially according as we assume that we have to confront the contingencies of occupation or of annexation. The cases between Russia and Prussia being identical the Standard remarks, it seems to us equally certain that the action of England in the one ought to resemble that which she pursued in the other. We met Russia's demand with a firm refusal ; we ought not to hesitate to reject as firmly the advances of Prussia. We do not care to con sider whether the Treaty of 1867 was politi cally desirable, or whether the Government of this country ought to have joined in a col lective guarantee of the neutrality of a tract of country in whose ownership we are in no way directly interested. Such inquiries seem to us as much out of place now as a review of the policy of 1856 was ill timed a fortnight ago. The plain fact with which wo have to deal to-day is that the guarantee has been given, and till that has been withdrawn, with the consent of a majority of the guaranteeing Powers, the only honour able course which this nation can pursue is to hold herself bound by it. We arc aware that we shall he met by the oft-repeated argument that the neutrality of Luxemburg is a matter with which we have no concern, and that it is folly to embark in a war which can be productive of no advantages, and which may involve 'us in the greatest difficulties. But observations of this kind miss the whole point of the argu ment on which we are relying. We are prepared to admit for the moment that it matters little to this country whether the strongest fort of Europe is in the hands of her greatest military nation or no; but we are not proposing a course which we know may lead to war for the sake of keeping the Germans out of Lux euiburg. We are concerned in the far greater question whether t re aties, s olemnly made and signed, are to be shuffled off at thefirst convenientopportunity by the strong ; and this question, it seems to us, is one which all who wish for the peace of the world must consider worth a struggle. We have a duty to France as well as to our selves, and While France is discomfited we are bound to see that her acceptance of our proposals in 1867 is not turned to her disadvantage in 1870. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1871. —Th e Earl de Grey and Ripon, K.G., presided yesterday over a meeting of the General Purposes Committee, appointed by her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 3851, to carry out the series of Annual International Exhibi, tions, the first of which will be opened on the Ist of May, 1871. There were also present Sir Francis Sandford, Mr. Cole, Mr. Gibson, Pr. Lyon Playfair, Colonel Ponsonby, [ Mr. Thring, and Lient,-Col. Scott, R.E., Secretary. THE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS. In a communication from Margency—the Headquarters of the Crown Prince of Saxony—dated December 11, the special correspondent of the Daily News says :—Will there be, after all, any necessity for a bombardment ? Paris may not be utterly mad—not maniacal enough to cling to a hopeless resistance, after the dissipation of expectations which must have been formed in a very sanguine spirit. If Paris will tardily listen to reason, now that the Armies of the Loire, of the West, and of the North are practically annihilated, it is possible than an opportunity 'will offer for a termination of the siege on terms to which she may without derogation submit. She has made her effort, and failed. That the effort has been worthy of her, nobody acquainted with the circumstances will deny. Will she now be still more worthy of herself, and bow with grace to the inevitable ? If so, there is reason to hope that, as regards this vicinity at least, the war may speedily terminate. It is reported that Count Bismarck is prepared to transmit, if, indeed, he has not already transmitted, an ultimatum to the authorities in Paris, offering terms for acceptance within a week. These terms, if their nature is correctly stated, are such as Paris neednot be ashamed to accept. Her citizens are to be spared requisitions. No troops will be billeted upon them. The thousand and one objects of fine art in the Queen of Cities will be scrupulously respected. The officers of the army will be treated with the fullest con sideration. There are other items in the proposed ultima tum of a decidedly tempting character, according to .the rumour I have heard, which, in the absence of confir mation as to its authenticity, need not be further alluded to. It may, however, be assumed that the rejection of such an ultimatum, if tendered, will be followed, when events shall have taken their natural course and Paris shall have been forced to a capitulation, by the rigorous enforcement of those exactions from which a present cession would give immunity. In the utter absence for the present of any current news, is it worth while to speculate on the results if Paris should yield to these blandishments of the Prussian Count ? Hardly ; and yet it is not a little striking that one hears here in these later days a reputation of a prognostication which was rife so long ago as the latter weeks of the siege of Metz. Then it was the topic of discussion in the First and Second Armies, with whom, accepting as a certainty the early cession both of Paris and Metz, the German authorities could conclude a peace? It takes two sides to a bargain—where was the other side? Anarchy appeared to rule in France. If Paris was ready for peace, who could guarantee that Lyons would not be pugnacious ? Who would pledge himself that the South-West would not laugh at the pact ? The puzzle is a puzzle still, for the conditions are hardly altered, although the crisis draws nearer. The Republican Government, such as it is, may be ready for peace ; although, since the duration of the war, and the duration of its existence may be taken as syncronous this is hardly likely. But, granting all these things to be the case, who or what can satisfy France, or give the conquerors an assurance that the nation, or the State, or the country, or whatever body can be held as giving reasonable weight to a pact, will ratify that pact ? It may be that after I have seen the Prussian sentries on the ramparts of Du Nord and La Briche, I may have to watch the siege of Cherbourg. When Paris capitulates there will be nearly half a million French military prisoners in the German hands. The larger proportion of these will be profes sional soldiers—ready to work for the hand that pays them. Let the Emperor be brought to Paris, and, backed by French bayonets, . let him conclude a peace with Germany, and then enforce it and internal pacification by the troops which the suspension of hostilities would place at his disposal. Such a solution of the deadlock involves, indeed, conditions sufficiently humiliating for France—since the Germans would take for the time substantial guarantees, no doubt, for the faithful per formance of the pact, by the occupation of the forts sur rounding Paris and by other means ; but Napoleon may be reckoned, to adopt a vulgar proverb, to be sufficiently hungry to eat very dirty pudding. INSIDE PARIS. Writing from Paris on December 10, the special corre spondent of the Standard thus comments on the late sortie from Paris and the campaign on the Loire : The news of the retaking of Orleans and the defeat of the Army of the Loire, so courteously communicated to the Governor of Paris in a note from General Von Moltke, has had a very different effect on the Parisians to that which might have been expected in the German camp. The day previous to the reception of this intelligence news had been received that General d'Aurelle de Paladines' headquarters had been advanced to Montgaris ; it could therefore be but the rear guard, left, probably, to deceive the enemy, which had sustained this reverse. Many who think themselves extremely knowing, let it be understood, were very delighted and in nowise cast down ; and in fact if the information brought by a peasant from Corbeil, that the Army of the Loire had reached that town were true, and if the report that Bourbaki had reached Meaux were exact, then, indeed, there would be legitimate grounds for hope. Since the 2nd the atmosphere has been laden with all sorts of rumours. Yesterday evening, amongst other things equally unliliely, it was affirmed that the Prussians were beating a retreat, that Versailles had been evacuated and the town burnt to the ground, and that Paris was only surrounded by a few troops left to mask the retrograde movement. Some sailors who are quartered at St. Denis are reported to have con fidently stated that by putting their ears to the ground they could distinctly hear the tread of an advancing army. Some enthusiasts oven imagine that in the stillness of the night they have heard the echo of Bourbaki's cannon ; in fact, the town is in such a state of hopeful expectancy that the statianory position of the army, which is officially announced to have gained two great victories, seems to escape observation. The German account of these two engagements no doubt differs greatly from the French, and to all appearance the end proposed was most decidedly unattained. General Trochu wouldnot have made such gigantic preparations simply to occupy two or three villages on the other side , of the Marne. It is only reasonable to sup Pose that his intentions were to take posses sion of the heights beyond; what was really effected might have been done by a much smaller force, for the whole of this district is under the fire of the detached forts. However, the Government proclaimed them to be victories, and so welcome is the idea that Paris has wil lingly allowed herself to be deceived. When the Gover nor of Paris left to take the conimand of the army there was such a fanfaronade and such mutual felicitations, that one would have imagined that the army about to measure its strength with the enemy was invincible. The Government sent a compli mentary letter to General Trochu, Ducrot addressed his soldiers, and every one, figuratively, shook hands. How, then, would it have been possible to announce anything but success? When I say that the retreat to Vincennes has escaped observation, I mean to imply that it has not been discussed in a serious manner. There was a clause in the proclamation which preceded the opening of the campaign whichhas silenced all criticism : " The Parisians must net be astonished at hearing of counter-marches and retreats, for the- plan is intricate, comprising feints, &c." It is now supposed that these engagements were only feints, and that perhaps to-morrow a decisive blow will be dealt in an entirely opposite direction. lam certainly not in General Troohu's confidence, therefore can neither deny nor affirm the truth of this supposition, but it may yet be permitted me to remark that if he proposed doing nothing more thnn was actually done, he paid dearly for his enterprise in both officers and men. The Generals Renault and Ladret de la Charriere and Comman dant Franchetti may be counted amongst the number of the dead. All three seem to have fought with great bravery, but more especially the first. General Renault, seeing his men, who were being cut down by a murderous fire, begin to waver, put himself at their head and inspired them with a contempt for death by placing his kepi on the point of his sword, and calling upon them to follow him. It was shortly after that he was hit by a bullet in the thigh, of which wound he died on the 6th. He was honoured by a state funeral, which took place yesterday at twelve o'clock, but much t) the disappointment of the thousands who waited for hours in front of the Invalides, the body was transported there privately over night, so that the crowd had only the doubtful satisfaction of staring at the carriages which arrived one by one with the notabilities who came to assist at the ceremony.