The Sun. — London, England, 1867-07-17 00:00:00

NEW ROYAL AMPIIITHEATRE AND CIRCUS, HIGH HOLBORN. The coolest and most elegantly appointed theatre in the metropolis. "The feats are of the most varied kind, and every one of them is executed to perfection."—Times, May 27, 1887. "No more successful combination of remarkable equestrian teats, with singular acrobatic dexterity, and episodes of dis creet drollery, has been for many years witnessed in the me tropolis."—llaily Telegraph, July 8, 1t67. t The company , as a whole, has seldom been equalled for at and ele gance of i ts performance. The eye is not awted to be wea r i ed b y too long a continuance, or too fre neu a repetition of the s.ime thing."—Standard, July 3. Tli ES BALLET EVENING , and duri ng the `Peek, at 8, A COMIC Alter which, at a quarter to 9, SCENES IN THE ARENA. Doors Open at halt-past 7 ; commence at 8. OBSERVE !—BELGIAN VOLUNTEERS, in Un'ilorm, admitted FREE to the Royal Amphitheatre and Ci;cus, High Holborn. RAND MORNING PE RFORMANCE, ‘ir every SATUKD AY, commencing at llali-past Two. Carriages may be ordered for a Quarter to Five o'clock. "They tiffard an excellent opportunity to the friends of the iising generation to give them a treat, which the little ones will not fail to enjoy."—Standard. H E "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. R. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Counautiht• terrace, TAgware-road, dliveis :he LATE EDITION of TUE SUN " at the earnest possible moment alter leaving the press. Ile Is able to deliver copies in Town. the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparativdy early twur the same c.veninv, say 40 miles by 11 o'clock. Orders by Post punctually attended to. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. furs DAY.—Morning, 211. 2 0m.—Afternoon, 2h. 40m To-Monnow.-Morning, 3h. Om.—Afternoon, 31i. 12m, ice SUIT. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 18G7. _-,--- ..,oria DERtY had a satsfactory task to perform last night in introducing the Reform 13111 into the House of Lords, and it is reached so advanced P l easing to reflect that it has the man a stage o f proceedings. After y doubts and drawbacks that attended its earlier course some will be agreeably surprised that 1 it has got to the Upper House at all. The noble I lord proposed to fix the second reading for Monday next, and in the event of the debate terminating on that day that they should take Friday for the Com mittee, but Earl GREY said that Monday week would be a more convenient day to fix upon for the committee, because the debate on the second read ing was not likely to end so quickly as the Premier imagined. The noble earl said he had no inten tion to oppose the second reading, nor did he know of any noble lord who had such intention, but still he thought of moving a resolution to the effect that the bill required consideration. IVithout giving the exact terms of this, Earl GREY seemed to think that he would meet with considerable support in this resolution. After such very lengthened exa minations have been made in the Commons in the course of this measure passing through it, it seems very strange that any one should deem it necessary to take up any more time than is absolutely neces sary in discussing its details. No doubt Lord GREY thinks that he can make out a very good case, but the question is, why should he take up time that is so precious in proposing changes that can very well be made in committee, if they are even then desirable or necessary to be made? All the objections which he made would have done very well had they been made in the House of Commons at the earlier part of the session ; but at this pro tracted period in the House of Lords they are quite out of character. He said that he was persuaded of the importance of discussing the whole principle of a bill of this kind on the second reading, so that they Might be properly prepared to consider its details in committee. It cannot be de nied that this seems plausible enough at first, but then it must be borne in mind that there has been opportunity enough given to all the members of the House of Lords to dwell upon the details of this measure during the time that has elapsed since its introduction into the Commons. We do not anticipate that Lord GREY'S sanguine expectations will be realised respecting the support he will meet with, or else it would be alarming to follow him in his portentous announcement. He said that it was necessary to have some interval between the second reading of the bill and the com mittee, "because until the opinion of the house has been indicated to a certain extent by the proceed ings on the second reading, it is impossible for those who object to some of the provisions of the bill to decide upon what amendments they will propose." What a prospect lies before one in this description through the vista of the future--what an array of amendments and a long list of divisions, but the best consolation is to think that it is in words more than in fact that the danger threatens and the delay impends. When the time comes the good sense of the House of Lords will come to the rescue, and the committee will speedily reject such amendments as are un necessary, and refuse to consider those that are Simply vexatious. Lord DERBY very wisely agreed to the proposed delay, so far as to intimate that the Government would not seek unduly to hasten the progress of the bill, but would consult the general wishes of their lordships, as far as regarded the time for taking the next stage. The second reading will be taken on Monday next, and then it is to be hoped that great progress will be made in a short time, because it would cause great disappointment if unnecessary delays took place. Besides the time spent in discussing the changes that may be desir able in the House of Lords, all these alterations must be again considered by the Commons, and perhaps it might not agree to them, so that confu sion would arise and complications occur, much to be deprecated and deplored. It is not expected that the bill should pass the Upper House without any change taking place, but then there is a moderation required in all things, and it will not do to make this occasion an excep tion to the rule. The House of Commons has, on the whole, set the House of Lords a good example, and it will be well if it is followed with care and caution. Much time has indeed been consumed in the passing of the Representation of the People Bill in the popular branch of the Legislature ; but that was in many respects unavoidable under the circum stances of the case, because the principles of the bill had to be considered, and many desirable changes to be made in it. These delays and drawbacks will not intervene to shorten the progress of the Reform Bill in the House of Lords, and therefore the same allowances cannot be made for a length ened period intervening before the Reform Bill receives the Royal assent. We have yet to learn what Earl RUSSELL will do in the matter, and must wait until next Monday, in order to see if he will adopt a wise course or an ill-judged one. Very likely at the beginning of the session he was fully determined to oppose any measure on the subject of Reform that emanated from the DERBY Govern ment, but it is not too much to hope that by this time he has learnt wisdom, and while he knows the impracticability of succeeding in a hostile movement, he may recognise the expe diency of consenting with a good grace to what must eventually become the law of the land in some form or other. The " considerable amend . ment," which Earl GREY seems to think advisable will no doubt dwindle away, and become lees and less as time proceeds, until at last, if it does not vanish altogether into thin air, it may be so minute that it cannot produce any serious result, or cause disappointment to those who wish to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. Although the weather this week has been any thing but favourable for our foreign visitors, the most illustrious of them is happily the most inde pendent of the vagaries of theeEnau English dishaycs of thelimate. Yesterday was one of the most eventful SULTAN'S visit, and no doubt the sigh t s presented to his notice were , more interesting were presented to him than the displays of naval and military force T e which e he might easily ha v e witnessed elsewhere. arsenal at Woolwich, however, presents no ordinary spectacle. The triumphs of machinery are there forcibly illustrated in those special departments of industrial skill in which English mechanism excels. Even the SULTAN, calm and unimpressible as is his usual manner, was evidently much struck with the wonders of the steam hammer. Ills Ma jesty watched with interest the varied displays of the ponderous hammer, 16 tons in falling weight, now flattening down a mass of metal, now cracking without crushing a tiny lump of coal. The vast force so completely under control certainly pre sented a marvellous spectacle, and not less won derful was the drawing of one of the long coils for a heavy gun from the fur nace. The furnace goes back more than a hun dred feet, and from its mouth the coil issues like a monster Pharoah's serpent, and twines itself in fiery folds round the drum. Such sights as these are far more marvellous to the SULTAN than any display of - fleets or armies, for they show him what he cannot :see at home, and they serve to convey to his mind in idea of the vast progress made by European ar . vilisation and science. Such visits are more ti Aan mere matters of ceremony and eti q+ uette, for no second - hand accounts could suc ceed in impressing ou the SULTAN and his suite the facts which a very superficial inspection on their .own part may demonstrate to them. Travel is always considered to enlarge the mind and quicken the faculties, because it takes the most narrow and prejudiced out of themselves. It inevitably ex pands their mental horizon, and shows them that, however[excellent their judgment,the world contains some millions of persons in full possession of their faculties who do not think like them on any of the most important questions of life. We have left off talking about the grand tour, be cause men now-a-days go on travelling all their lives. They no longer devote a year or two to travel, and then settle down immoveably for the rest of their livesr A trip to Paris, a month in Ger many, a visit to Spain or Italy, are mere matters of everyday routine, and an excursion to Scandinavia, or a walk up the Alps, are among the recognised means of passing au autumnal holiday. Business, as well as pleasure, constantly calls men abroad, and many of those engaged in commerce or manu factures are now-a-days more familiar with the highways and byeways of the Continent than their fathers were with Wales or Scotland. There is no question that this continual traffic has helped very much to that better understanding among the nations of Europe that the philosophers of our time are rejoicing over. It would be impossible for such tales to pass current of THEODORE of Abyssinia as were generally believed in this country of the first NAPOLEON, and though wars and rumours of wars are still prevalent amongst us, it is no small gain that populations differing in race, in religion, in customs, in pursuits, should each recognise the good to be found in the other instead of narrowing their views to their own bounded limit. The SULTAN will take back with him to Con stantinople a very different impression of Paris and London than he could have gained in a life time at home, and it is an important step in the civilisation of the East that such journeys should be possible. That the Sultan of TURKEY and the Viceroy of EGYPT should at one and the same time be our guests argues well for the future of the Eastern populations. Seeing is believing, and a sojourn among great free peoples, enjoying all the advantages of cultivation and science, must be more instructive and more convincing than a hundred oral representations. The Viceroy of EGYPT has already shown a liberal and enlight ened spirit, and has on all occasions mani fested a friendly spirit towards this country. The Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs yesterday waited upon him to present an address from the Corpora tion. His Highness, who spoke in Arabic, made a brief but interesting address, chiefly remarkable for its sound practical sense. After expressing his gratification at the warmth of his reception in this country, the VICEROY said that it would be his con stant aim to foster commercial intercourse with this great city, because it was by commerce that the East must grow and prosper. Such a sentiment proves that the VICEROY, at least, has not so much to learn in political economy as some of our Euro pean rulers ; and if he will act upon this enlight ened and judicious principle, we have no doubt that we shall soon see the resources of Egypt greatly increased, and her vast capacities more fully de veloped. R• ELGIAN RECEPTION BALL. — AGRICULTURAL HALL, Islington, THURS DAY, 18th day of July, 1867. REGULATIONS FOR CA. RRIAGES. EN LIVERPOOL -ROAD. SETTING DOWN.— Carriage s ' with Company for this Entrance are to join the rank at the Angel, Islington, and set down with horses' heads towards Barnsbury. WAITING AND TAKING UP. —Carriages after set ting down are to draw off immediately along the Liver pool-road, and if required to take up, are to form in a single line on the West side of the Liverpool-road, north of Elizabeth-terrace, with horses' heads towards the City road, and after taking up are to drive off in that direc tion. UPPER-STREET. SETTING DOWN. —Carriages with Company for this Entrance are to join the rank at the Angel, Islington, and set down with horses' heads towards Islington-green. WAITING AND TAKING UP. —Carriages after setting down are to draw off immediately along the Essex road, and if required to wait to take up, are to form in two single lines on the East and West sides of Essex-road, north of the Myddelton Statue, with horses' heads towards the City-road and after taking up are to drive off in that direction. BARF ORD-STREET. SETTING DOWN.—Carriages of Ladies Patronesses and others having Carriage Tickets for setting down at this Entrance, aro to proceed along Pentonville-road, Penton-street, Barnsbury-road, Richmond-road, and Liver pool-road to Barford-street, and set down as directed by police. WAITING AND TAKING UP.—Carriages after set ting down are to draw off immediately, and if required to wait to take up, are to form in a single line North of Bar ford-street, on the side of Liverpool-road, as directed by police, and when called are to take up, and drive off in the direction of the City-road. CABS WAITING FOR HIRE. Cabs waiting for hire are to wait in Upper-street, Eliza beth-terrace, Cloudesley-street, or Cloudesley-road, as may be directed by the police. Carriages may be stopped by police at any point and formed in line to prevent obstruction. Servants are to wait where directed by the police. Per sons are not to stand at or near the entrances so as to cause obstruction. RICHARD MAYNE, The Commisioner of Police of the Metropolis. Metropolitan Police Office, 4, Whitehall-place, July 12, 1867. CRYSTAL P ALA C E .—GRE AT INTERN A - TIONAL VOLUNTEER FETE THIS DAY and AFTERNOON. —Belgian Volunteers' Reception.—T he Palace will be opened as usual at ten a.m. The Orchestral Band of the Company will play at one and five o'clock. At six o'clock a display of the Terrace Fountains. Mr. Coxwell will make a Balloon Ascent at half-past six. At seven o'clock the full Band of the Royal Artillery will per form in the Centre Transept. At nine o'clock, or as soon as dark, the Fountains will be brilliantly Illuminated. The magnificent Salute of Signal Lights, preparel for the Sultan's Fête, will be repeated. The display of Fireworks will include a Set Piece, specially prepared in honour of the Belgian Volunteers. The Palace will be brilliantly illuminated for promenade after the fireworks. The Great Festival Organ will be played at intervals by Mons. Lemmens, of the Conserva toire, Brussels ; and by Mr. James Coward, the Organist of the Crystal Palace Company. One Shilling only. Guinea season tickets free. Chil dren, half-price. NOTE.--All Belgian Volunteers in uniform will be ad mitted free. CRYSTAL PALACE.—THIS EVENING.— V GREAT SIGNAL SALUTE on Uppor-terrace. CRYSTAL PALACE.—THIS EVENING.— Magnificent ILLUMINATION of FOUNTAINS and FIREWORKS. A great popular day and night. Ono Shilling. Come early. CRYSTAL PALACE.—The AUCTIERY NJ FETES on the beautiful cricket ground TO-MOR ROW (Thursday) and FRIDAY. One Shilling only. Particulars will be advertised to-morrow. The Last Opera Concert on Saturday next, July 20. Now Ready, THE DUBLIN REVIEW. No. XVII. Price 6s. New Series. CONTENTS. I. Dr. Pusey on Papal Prerogatives. 11. John Tetzel. 111. Lord Plunket's Life and Speeches. IV. The Gods of the Nations when Christ Appeared. V. Archbishop Manning on England and Christendom. VI. S. Jane Prances de Chantal. VII. F. Ryder and Dr. Ward. VIII. The Holy See and the Spanish Inquisition. IX. Irish Questions. X. Notices of Books :—The Civilta Catolica. ; the Pope's recent Confirmation of the Syllabus; F. Reiss on the Encyclical of Bth Dec., 1864 ; F. Knox o • the Infallibility of the Church ; Dr. Murray's Prose and Verse; Christian Schools; Mr. E. H. Thompson's New Series of Saints' Lives; Irish Homes and Irish Hearts, etc., etc. XI. Correspondence. XII. A Letter to the Rev. P. Ryder by W. G. Ward, Ph. D. London: Burns, Oates, and Co., 17, Portman-street; and all Bookseflers:. TREAT R E ROYAL DRURY-LANE. A- Sole I.2ssee and Manager, Mr. F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, THAT RASCAL JACK. Messrs. J. R.,use, J. Neville, C. Warner• ; Mesdames B. Aleyne, C. Thomp son. To conclude with T f i E GREAT CITY. Messrs. C.Warner 7 F. Morton. .T. leitzjames, F Villiers, J. C. Cowrer, W. M'lntyre, J. Rouse, J. Irving, J. B. Johnstone; Mesdames M. Robertson, u. G. Le Thiere, C. Thompson. Commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL, lIAYM ARKET, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Iluokstone. THIS EVENING, PETER SAIINK. Fo lowed by TIIE COQUETTE. Messrs. Howe, Comp ton, Gordon, Vincent. Weathersby, Coe, &c. ; Mesdames Sedgwlek, Matthews, Lewin, .to. Alter which, WHO WANTS A GUINEA, Messrs. Buck stone, Howe, Chippendale, Rogers, Compton, Clark, Kendal. Braid, Gordon, White, &C.; Mesdames Burke, aiathews, Laws, &c. Commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, a new Musical Drama, GARIBALDI IN SICILY. Miss Roden, Miss Emily Pitt; Messrs. R. Philliys, J. G. Taylor, and Ashley. After which, DORA. Messrs. Henry Neville, Billington, 4.shley ; Miss Kate Terry, Miss Hughes. To conclude with A SLICE OF LUCK. Messrs J. Clarke, J. G. Taylor, C. TI. Stephenson, C. J. Smith ; Miss A. Seaman and Miss E. Pitt. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. New Management. Sole Lessee, Mr. B. Webster; Manager, Mr. U. Wigan. EVENING, BET 1Y MARTIN. Mr. G. Vincent and Miss E. Warren. After which, THE LIAR. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Mathews. Followed by WOOMOCK'S LITTLE GAME. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews ; Mrs. Frank Matthews. To conclude with OLYMPIC GAMES. Messrs. H. J. Mouta£rue, G. Vincent, D. Murray; Mesdames E. Warren, G. Moore, Sheridan, Harris, N. Harris, St. Henry, and Roselle. Doors open at half-past Six ; commence at Seven. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE , Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, REVERSES. Messrs. S. Emery, Par selle, F. Robson, W. Swanborough ; Mesdames Ada Swan borough, Johnstone, and Manders. After which, the Latest Edition of FRA DIAVOLO. Messrs. Thorne and James; Mesdames Gwynne, Newton, Holt, and Weathersby. Commence at half-past Seven. R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining THIS EVENING will be produced (27th time here) the Prize Drama of TRUE TO THE CORE. Messrs. Cres wick, H. Marston, H. Forrester, E. F. Edgar, &c.; Miss G. Parincefort and Miss Nelly Moore. Doors onen at half-past 7 ; commence at 8. THE SUN. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1867. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. The fabricators of news and startling incidents are again at work, The Moniteur announces that the letter published by some of the journals, supposed to have been sent by the Emperor to the Emperor of Austria, respect ing Maximilian, was not written by his Majesty. The affecting and romantic details, published by the Figaro relative to the execution of the Emperor Maximilian, are supposed to have been written by one of the popular French novelists, no such ac count having been received in France. Indeed, from the date, it was impossible that such a narra tive could have been received here at the time. Yesterday the Emperor received the addresses voted by the municipal body of Portsmouth, to congratulate his Majesty at happily escaping from the attempt of the assassin on the 9th of June. The jury, at the Court of Assize of the Seine, have made short work with the assassin. Evidence was given, but it did not disclose any new fact, and merely consisted of a recapitulation of the circum stances already known. M. Emmanuel Arago, the prisoner's counsel, made a long speech, in which, however, he did not deity the attempt. It was rather an appeal ad nasrecordiant to the sympathy of the jury. It, however, had its effect upon them. They were only in deliberation twenty minutes. They found a verdict in the affirmative upon the principal point—the attempt to murder, and upon that of premeditation—but they found " extenu ating circumstances" in favour of the prisoner. The young assassin did not exhibit the slightest emotion on - hearing the verdict. The President—M. Arago, have you anything to say respecting the punishment of the prisoner ? M. Arago—•l have only one word to say. lie is twenty. The President—And you, Berezowski ? Berezowski made some remark, which was not heard by the reporters. The Court retired, but in a few minutes the members of it returned, and the President pro n ounced a sentence, according to which Berezowski found guilty of attempts to mur d er w i t h premedit a , tion, a crime provided for by Articles 302 and 2 of the Penal Code, but in favour of whom extenuat ing circumstances were found, is condemned to hard labour for life. The President—Tho case is finished, and the Session is over, gentlemen of the jury. The persons present retired with evident re luctance, and much excitement prevailed. It may not be generally known that the King of Sweden and Norway, who now visits Paris, is the son of a thorough-bred Parisian, Charles John the Fourteenth, born in Paris on the 26th of January, 1764, succeeded on the sth of February, 1818, to his adoptive father, Charles the 13th, and was crowned in Sweden on the 11th of May, 1818. His son Oscar, Charles the 15th, our present visitor, was born on the 3d of May, 1826, and was crowned at Stockholm on the 3d of May, 1860. He married the Princess Wilhelmine of Orange, daughter of Prince William Frederic of the Nether lands. The Almanach de Paris, which is a more accu rate authority than the Almanac of Saxe Gotha, says that originally Sweden was divided into several small States, and was governed by elective kings, of whom Upsala was the principal. Gustavus Wasa delivered his country from the tyranny of Christian the Second, and founded the houso of Wasa. To that succeeded the house of Deux Ponts, and sub sequently Frederic de Holstein founded the house of Holstein. The present King of Sweden, who now comes to Paris to see the Exhibition, is the descen dant of that monarch, who, from a poor simple sol dier, became King Bernadotte of Sweden. The French have a proverb, " the first King was a for tunate soldier." The King of Wurtemburg and the Duke of Saxe Weimar aLonded Divine service on Sunday at the Protestant church in the Rue des Billettes. The Queen of Prussia also attended;Protestant worship, and has visited some of the Protestant schools of Paris. The ex-King of Bail aria, although now 81 years old, is a man of wonderful activity and industry. Ile gets up every morn ng at five o'clock, and pur sues literary or other labour until the time of his daily walk, which so metimes extends to a long dis tance. At the Porchefo, ataino races on Sunday the steeplechase was won; by the Duke of Hamilton's Garus, Caprice seam ►d. The Course de Hares was won by La Sendee. The gentlemen riders' match was won by Bessie . The Siecle, in r eferenco 0 the decision of the jury in Berezowski's case, says :—" This decision is at once a consecration of the abolition of the punish ment of death, a lesson to the conquerors of Maxi milian, and a new plod of the sympathy which exists in France for the Polish cause, and of the horror felt for the massacre of women, children, and old men." There were two balloon ascents on Sunday from Paris. Nadar's balloon, The Geant, came down safely at Dammartin, in the department of Seine-et- Marne ; Godard's balloon made a long journey, having reached Prussia, and descended near Cologne. _ A Swiss paper mentions what it calls an inter national ascensive competition—that is to say, a struggle as to who shall first gain the summit of ;7 - 4, ont Blanc. A Frenchman, M. Delisle, was first on the top of the mountain at the commencement of the contest. On the 11th inst. two Englishmen and two Americans went ahead. One of the latter was a young American of 16, who outstripped his guides and got up before them. It was supposed that the trial of Berezowski would have lasted a week, for more than 50 witnesses had been summoned, but as the facts were so palpable all of a sudden the foreman of the jury gave an intimation that they had made up their minds, no that the prosecution did not consider it necessary to examine them. In answer to a question the pri soner said he believed he had a right to kill a Sove reign. No one gave him the mission. His heart dictated the act. " Upon what fact did you rely ?" asked the President. Prisoner—" I did it because he massacred my country, crushed children against the walls, scourged women, and persecuted, exiled, and exterminated my countrymen." THE EXECUTION OF THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN. Official information of the death of Maximilian, Miramon, and Mejia was received at New York on the 3d inst. The report of Escobedo says they were condemned on the night of the 14th, the sentence confirmed at headquarters on the 15th, and the 16th designated as the day of execution. Their execution was, how • ever, suspended, by order of Juarez, until the 19th, on which day,at 7 o'clo c k a.m., t h e t h ree were shot. On the morning of the 18th the Prussian minister made another attempt to save them, but failed. Maximilian was shot face to the front. His last words were " Poor Carlotta !" Miramon and Mejia were reduced from their rank and shot in the back. General Borriozabal immediately communicated the news to General Reynolds in Brownsville. There is great rejoicing in Mexico over the event. Official information of the surrender of the capital to Diaz has also reached New York. Marquez was deposed, and the city was surrendered by Ramon Tabera. It is thought that Juarez has started for the capi tal. Mexicans are jubilant, and foreigners are hor ror-stricken. Letters from Juarez state that Maximilian, Mejia, and Miramon were sentenced to be shot on the morning of June 16, the sentence beingpromulgated on the morning of June 14. Subsequently the exe cution was postponed for three days to give Maxi milian time to arrange his affairs, and it was announced that the execution would positively take place on the morning of June 19, at 11 o'clock. The Prussian and British ministers visited Juarez at San Luis Potosi to endeavour to arrest the doom of the un fortunate Prince ; but their efforts were vain. Both had returned to Queretaro to take formal leave of Mexico when the Prince was executed. Among Maximilian's papers in Queretaro was a will, by which, in case of his death, he appoints Theodosia Lance Jose Maria Lacunsea and Marquez regents of the Empire. Portions of Maximilian's service of plate are on exhibition as trophies at Ma tamoras. The following is the telegram of Escobedo to the Minister of War, announcing the execution of the Emperor Maximilian " San Luis Potosi, June 19, 1867. " Citizen Minister of War,—On the 14th inst., at 11 o'clock at night, the Council of War con demned Maximilian of Hapsburg, Miguel Miramon, and Somas Mejia to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. The sentence having been confirmed at these headquarters, it was ordered to be carried into effect on the 16th. The execution was suspended by order of the supreme Government until to-day. It is now 7 o'clock in the morning, at which time Maximilian has just been shot. " Please communicate to the Citizen President of the Republic. " ESCOBEDO." Immediately upon receipt of the news General Berriozabal sent official information of it to General Reynolds, commanding the sub-district of the Rio Grande. The event was celebrated with great re joicing, manifested by ringing of bells, music, and other demonstrations. The Baron Magnas, Prussian Minister, arrived at Queretaro th e d a y before the e xecu ti on, and imme diately transmitted by telegraph a for ma l pro t es t t o Juarez, which was received at half-past 9 o'clock on the evening of the same day, and in reply to which the following was transmitted : "San Luis Potosi, June 18th, 10.10 p.m. " To Baron A. V. Alagnas, at Queretaro. " I am sorry to say to you, in answer to your telegram, which you have been pleased to send me this night, that, as I had expressed to you the day before yesterday, the President of the Republic is not of the opinion that it is possible to grant the pardon of Maximilian of Hapsburg, consistent with the great considerations of justice and the necessity of ensuring the future peace of the Republic.—l am, Baron, very respectfully your obedient servant, " S. LERDo DE TEJADA." The following is a translation of the protest of Baron Magnas "To his Excellency Senor Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada. " Having arrived to-day at Queretaro, I became aware that the prisoners, condemned on the 14th instant, morally died on Sunday last. It is thus that all the world will consider it, for all their pre parations to die having been made on that day they waited during a whole hour to be taken to the place whence they were to receive their death before the order suspending the execution of the sentence was communicated to them by means of the telegraph. • " The humane customs of our age will not permit them, after having suffered this horrible agony, to be put to death a second time to-morrow. In the name of humanity and of honour I conjure you to order that their lives be not taken ; and I again repeat that I am certain that my Sovereign his Ma jesty the King of Prussia and all the crowned heads of Europe, united by ties of blood and kindred to the Prince prisoner —his brother ? the Emperor of Austria ; his cousin, the Queen of the British domi nions; his brother-in-law, the King of the Belgians ; and also his cousins, the Queen of Spain and the Kings of Italy and Sweden—will readily agree to give his Excellency Senor Don Benito Juarez all security that none of the prisoners shall again tread on Mexican soil. A. V. MAGNAS." No authentic ne ws h as yet arrived at N ew Fork as to the disposition of the body of Maximilian. SERIOUS FIRE IN A PAPER-HILL.—On Monday morning a fire broke out at the Broughton-grovo paper works, occupied by Mesgrs. Chadwick. Some 60 persons had a narrow escape, and throe women were injured by jumping in their fright from the building into a Leigh- I b v o i u ll r o i w ng in fi g o i l i d i:lch T ir h io o_c o a lu. hard substance coining in contact with the beators of the exertion, the fire ragod for sever.il ho a u s rs it , trade—occasioning combustion. Notwithstanding every : 4 : t o i f io t ( h t : i fl i r; is boliort - .0 to be some a is nc c i a d ll i o d d l i t n ma t is h e e to the aincunt of £l,OOO, which is covered by insurance. A FISHERMAN KILLED BY LIGHTNING. —During a violent storm tho other day the electric fluid fell upon a man named David, who was fishing in his boat, near Rogorville, in the neighbourhood of Harflour. Ho was struck on the head and killed instantaneously, his boat going down at the same time. A lad who was with him escaped by swimming. The following is the text of Madame George Sand's refusal to sanction the publication of a caricature of her by one of the littl e p i ctor i a l j our nals :—" Paris, July S.—lf I were free, s i r , I wou ld say `yes' directly, for I never was vain, and I am not go i ng t o be at the ago of 63. But all my friends are aga i nst it, an d my children would be pained by w h a t you propose to do. Everybo d y about me tells ma thi s so seriously t h a t I must say ' no.' You will excuse me, won ' t you ? Be li eve that lam very a. sorry to refuse request made in such friendly and amiable ton:cm—GEORGE SAND." LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ITAL Y. FLORENCE, July 16 (Evening). In to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies the discussion on the Ecclesiastical Property Bill was resumed. Signor Ferraris, the reporter of the committee, spoke in favour of the scheme of that body, and supported some of the amendments which had been proposed. All the other proposals and counter proposals were either withdrawn or rejected. The House then commenced the discussion of clause 1 of the bill. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, July 17. In to-day's sitting of the Lnwer House of the Reichsrath the debato on the penal code came on for discussion. The proposal of the committee, totally to abolish capital punishment, was rejected by 79 against 56 votes. lIUNGARY. PESTH, July 16. Franz Kossuth, the son of the celebrated exile Kossuth, who was proposed as a candidate for the Hungarian Diet for the district of Csatrova, has been rejected. Herr Kossuth himself will stand for the town of Maitzen. FIUME, July 16. Great preparations are being made for the cele bration of the reunion of the Littoral districts to Croatia, - which will shortly take place. Some Russian emissaries, who bad been ordered to leave Agram, arrived here, but were immediately sent out of the town. Stores of arms, which had been smuggled into the town, have been discovered at Porto Re. SWITZERLAND. BERNE, July 17. The official reception of the three Japanese Ambassadors by the Federal Council took place to-day. AMERICA. FALMOUTH, July 17. The New York and Havre Company's steamship Fulton, from New York, on the Gth inst., arrived off this port at 9.45 p.m. yesterday evening, with $423,200 in specie. She landed 33 sacks of mails, 16 passengers, and embarked Captain Wotton and family for Havre. NEW YORK, July 16. Ile Cunard (extra) steamship Ueda arrived here to-day. BRAZILS. BUENOS AYRES, June 12. Exchange on London, 48g. Hides, 42} ; wool, 45 to 86 ; lumber, 38 to 48 ; sugar, 19k. CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MALTA, July 16. The Ceylon left here at 11 p.m. on the 15th, and the Mooltan at 4 p.m. to-day. The former may be expected at Marseilles on the 18th, and the latter at Southampton the 26th inst. FRANCE. The Paris Savings Bank received in the fortnight ending the 15th instant deposits amounting to 1,01-1,070 fr., and reimbursed the sum of 588,100 fr. The total of the payments into the Caisse dQs itetraites for the Aged during the same period was 552 ,504 fr. The weather yesterday in Paris was exceedingly uncertain, rain having fallen several times. At 3 p.m. the thermometer marked 21 Centigrade (69 4-5 Fah.) 1 he Swiss Federal Council has reduced the charge of telegrams in the interior of the country from lfr. to 50c. for 20 words. The new rate is to come in force the Ist January, 1868. The Academy of Sciences at its last sitting pro ceeded to the election of a member in the section of Chemistry, in place of M. Pelouze, deceased. M. 'Vurtz, the Senior of the Faculty of Medicine, was nominated by 46 voters to 7. The Swiss Federal Cou nc il h as decided that its diplomatic representation abroad shall be confined to four Legations :—Fran ce , I taly, Austria, and Prussia. Admiral Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Marine, intends, it is said, after the vote of the Budget, to visit the five gre a t m ili tary ports of France, with the view of personally inspecti ng t h e state of the arsenals. BOURSE, July 16, Two o'clock.—The bi-monthly settlement is progressing favourably, The market closed as follows: 4i per Cents 99 35 Do. and month 3 por Cents Do. end month 6B 95 Credit Mobilier Do. end month Bank 5hare5,........ Italian L0an,,,,..... 50 Do. end m0nth.,,... 05 Mexican Loan ...... Do. 80nd5..., Spanish Threes Home Debt ......... Deferred ............ Credit Foncier _ _ Do. end month 1415 For Account. Orleans ................................... 885 Northern ........ t .. ..................... 1170 Lyons and Mediterranean ..... 885 Southern ................................. 555 Western .................................. 665 Eastern ................................... 540 Sardinian ................................. Austrian ................................. 466 25 Lombard . . ..... ................... ........ 381 25 North of Spain .......................... Saragossa ...................... .......... 105 Roman.. .................................. VISIT OF THE BELGIAN VOLUNTEERS TO 7HE CRES7AL PALACE. The Belgian Volunteers this morning assembled at the usual place and hour, and proceeded to the Crystal Palace. They received the same friendly greeting from the public that has attended all their movements. On the arrival at the palace a scene of the greatest interest and excitement prevailed, the bands performing the national anthems of England and that of Belgium. The vast concourse of visitors assembled on the occasion, and the fineness of the weather, all combined, produced one of the most splendid sights that can be imagined. Our foreign visitors seemed in ecstacies with the splendour of the Palace and grounds, and the ex pressions of wonder and surprise were general, and heard on every side. The visit to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford unbounded delight to the Belgians, who, shortly after their arrival, were to be seen in small clusters in every part of the Palace and grounds. C LDBATII - FIELDS HOUSE OF CORRECTION.—By a majority of ,60 to 48 the Middlesex magistrates have at length resolved to permit Roman Catholic pri soners in the Coldbath-fields House of Correction to attend mass. At their previous sessions the justices of the county decided that there is " no authority for such a proceeding, and it cannot be allowed." We have already pointed out in these columns that the resolution was founded upon an erroneous view of the law. The Prisons Act of 1865 clearly shows the intention of the Legislature to be that Roinanist prisoners should be allowed to attend Divine service according to the forms of their religion. And this opinion is confirmed by the late Attor ney-General and the presdht Solicitor-General, who have been consulted by the visiting j ustices of the prison. Mr. Sergeant Payne, eminent for his zeal in the cause of Protestantism, moved his brother justices to dis regard the weighty legal opinion ; but happily, even at the Middlesex Sessions, a majority of those who occupy the bench are willing to recognise the authority of Parliament The decision which permits a number of the inmates of Coldbath-fields Prison to worship God in the only way sanctioned by their consciences will be accepted by the public as a tardy homage to the sacred principles of reli gious tolerance, common prudence, and common justice.-- Telegraph. VISH OF TLIE SULIAN TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE. The musical festival given yesterday at the Crystal Palace by royal command, in honour of his Imperial Majesty the Sultan, attracted a large attendance, and passed off with great éclat. True, St. Swithiu's sway was unpleasantly felt, and for a great part of the day the weather was exceedingly unpropitious ; but it did not prevent the assembling of a merry and well-dressed multitude large enough to fill the vast building in every part. Two o'clock was the time fixed for the opening of the Palace, but long before that hour the doors were besieged with crowds eager to obtain admission. For a long time the rain continued to fall in such torrents that it penetrated the roof, and from one end of the nave to the other might be seen that most dreary and un poetic of spectacles, a sea of open umbrellas. At three o'clock the sky cleared, the umbrellas were put down, and the scene in the interior of the Palace was brilliant and animated. But during the remainder of the day occasional showers were the nearest approach to fair weather. There was no attempt at special decoration anywhere except under the central dome, which was hung with flags and banners of all nations, particular prominence being given to those of the Ottoman empire. These many coloured ensigns commingled with the surrounding foliage and the pendant flower-baskets had a pretty and picturesque effect. The whole area beneath the roof of the central transept was railed off for reserved seats, every one of which was occupied. Exactly opposite the Handel Orchestra a state box in the form of a proscenium was erected for the ac commodation of the imperial and royal visitors. It was divided into three compartments, and was taste fully decorated in crimson and gold. In front of this costly structure—which, gaily appointed and sumptuously furnished, contrasted strikingly with the fac-simile of Shakspere's humble cottage in its immediate vicinity--was a parterre of rare and bright flowers, arranged with due regard to har mony of colours. The musical entertainment con sisted of an operatic concert in two parts, supported by the entire company of Her Majesty's Theatre, as well as by two military bands, the excellent band of the Crystal Palace Company, and contingents from all the most celebrated choral societies and choirs in London. The first part of the concert began at half past 4, and was under the direction of Signor Arditi and Mr. Manna. This portion of the concert was performed in ex cellent style, but only for the gratification of the public at large, the great guests of the day not having as yet arrived. It was near 7 o'clock before the booming of the royal salute conveyed the glad intel ligence of their approach. The Sultan was accom panied by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. His Imperial Majesty had also with him his Impe rial Highness Youssouff Izzedin Effendi, eldest son of his Imperial Majesty; his Imp' , Hal Highness Hamid Effendi, nephew of his Imperial Majesty; and his Im perial Highness Murad Effendi, nephew of his Impe perial Majesty ; besides aides-de-camp and various officers of State. The illustrious party drove over from Woolwich, and entered the Palace-park by the Penge-gate. As they drove round the grounds amid the hearty cheers of the spectators, the foun tains were set playing with dazzling effect, and the Sultan seemed much impressed by the beauty and brilliancy of the scene. On alighting at a private entrance on the north side of the central transept the distinguished visitors were received by Mr. Grove, Mr. Bowley, and other officers of the Crystal Palace Company, by whom they were escorted down the nave, through some of the most interesting courts, and finally into the ante-room adjoining the state box. In this apartment, which was richly appointed and adorned with floral deco rations of singular beauty —the work for the most part of Messrs. Carter, of Holborn—the royal party dined. At a quarter to nine they made their ap pearauce in front of the state box, the Sultan occu pying the centre seat, with the Prince of Wales on his right and the Duke of Cambridge ou his left ; his kinsmen and courtiers being either grouped around or accommodated in the other compartments of the box. 'They were received with enthusiastic acclamations, which the Sultan repeatedly acknow ledged. The National Anthem was then sung with great spirit and expression by Madlle. Titiens and other principal artistes of Her Majesty's Theatre; after which was sung, in the original language, an ode to the Sultan, written in Turkish expressly for this occasion by Zafiraki Effendi, and the music for which was composed by Signor Arditi. Before leaving the Palace the Sultan presented the munificent donation of 1,000 guineas to the re storation fund. 711 E BELGIANS AT WINDSOR. Yesterday our Belgian guests paid their promised visit to Windsor and to its palatial castle, the resi dence of her Majesty the Queen, as it has been of her line for many a century. They were received with every honour, and such manifestation of hearty goodwill on the part of the townspeople as all the rain that fell almost without intermission during the morning could not damp. The streets were deco rated with flags and banners bearing expressive mottoes ; and at every point of their march from the railway station the volunteers were greeted with shouts of welcome. Colonel Loyd Lindsay, M.P., and Captain Graves, M.P., of the 42d Lancashire Rifles, came down in the train with the Belgians. So soon as all the men had arrived they formed out side the station, headed by the Berkshire compa nies, and marched to the Castle, moving up Thames street and High-street. Passing through the Horse-shoe Cloisters, they Mel into the nave of St. George's Chapel, which was carefully inspected with much interest. The memorial erected by her Majesty to the memory of the late King Leopold, and the beautiful monument of the Princess Charlotte, were objects of particular atten tion. Leaving St. George's Chapel, the volunteers were conducted along the north terrace into the quadrangle, from which they entered the Castle, and were taken through all the State chambers and private apartments. In the riding-school covers were laid for 1,100 guests, and 700 more of the visitors were regaled in the glass coach-house, and the remainder were accommodated in another coach house, which had been decorated with equal good taste. In the riding-school Colonel Percy Herbert presided, having M. Anspach, burgomaster of Brussels, on his right, and Colonel Gregoire on his left. The band of the Life Guards performed during dinner. When the company were seated the ap pearance of the room was very brilliant. Colonel Percy gave the health of her Majesty and of the King and Queen of the Belgians, both which toasts were received with an outburst of enthusiasm. Lord Royston presided over the other division of the ban quet, and the same toasts were there received with a like enthusiasm. Dinner over, the volunteers dispersed, and strolled about the precincts of the Castle, in the Home Park, and the gardens at Frogmore. In the town the people displayed the greatest cordiality and courtesy to their Continental visitors. The garden fete to be given on Friday by Miss Burdett Coutts, at Hay Lodge, Highgate, if the weather —now by its inconstancy become so grave a consideration in these matters—be propitious, will probably be one of the most enjoyable incidents in the visit of our Belgian guests. The preparations appear to be most liberal, and to be conducted with a prudent forethought which has not characterised at least one other of the banquets offered to the Continental volunteers. The special guests of the day are to muster, by permission, in the great quadrangle of the Cavalry Barracks in Albany street shortly after noon. Thence without much delay they will march past Gloucester Gate, down Park-street, and, crossing by the Mother Red Cap, proceed direct up the Kentish Town-road to High gate-hill, so as to enter the gates of Holly Lodge not later than a quarter past three. Miss Coutts has entrusted the direction of the banquet to Messrs. Gunter. A large number of tents have been erected, and a plentiful provision both of the most substantial and the most delicate viands will be made, with pale ale and champagne ad libitum. c„, s , 460 c) Cinurt . '*%_*' -7: HER MAJESTY, &c• OSBORNE, July 16. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, at tended by the Duchess of Roxburgh°. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Arthur and Prince Louis of Hesse rode on horseback. The Judge Advocate-General had au audience of the Queen. Naval and Military Intelligence. VALETTA, July 10. The regular mail being delayed, I take advantage of the departure to-day of a French steamer, the Junon, for Marseilles to send a line. Her Majesty's screw iron troopship Tamar, Capt. E. W. Sullivan, C. 8., left Malta on the 2d inst., in the evening, for Quebec, having on board Lieut.-Col. L. F. Far rington, 28 officers, 692 non-commissioned officer s and men, 57 women, and 79 children, of the 29th Regiment. The Prince Consort, iron clad, Capt. E. A. Inglefield, having got her big guns on board, and completed her repairs, is to leave to-morrow for Hyeres, to join the Commander in -Chief, who had reached that rendezvous from Gibraltar. The Tyrian gunboat, Lieut.-Commander the Hon. A. Montagu, also leaves to-morrow to join the squadron. The Caledonia, 24, ironclad, bearing the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Lord C. Paget, and the Arethusa, 35, arrived at Hyeres on Sunday, June 30, having proceeded all the way under sail. They found already there the Royal Oak ironclad, which had arrived on the 28th from Malta. The Psyche despatch vessel, with the mails, joined them on July Ist. The commander-in-chief was to leave in the Psyche on the 3d inst. for Mar seilles, and proceed thence to Paris, returning to Hyeres in about ten days, when the squadron would move up to Toulon, and afterwards visit Nice and the ports of Italy. The latter part of the programme will no doubt be changed in consequence of the ap pearance of cholera all along the Italian coast. There have been no appointments or removal of officers since the previous advices, with the excep tion of Mr. J. S. Pearce, clerk, who had been lent to the Psyche from the Arethusa for service during the absence on leave of Mr. Hodge, Assist.-Pay master, in charge of that vessel. Mr. Hodge having rejoined, Mr. Pearce has returned to the Arethusa. Her Majesty's surveying steamer Hydra, Capt. P. F. Shortland, arrived here on the 4th inst., and being from Aci, in Sicily, was placed in quarantine. She left again to-day, with a health guardian on board, to pass the remainder of her term outside, which time will be employed in taking soundings in the Malta Channel. The Trinculo gunboat, Lieut.- Commander V. de Sandars,leaves to-day for Patras, after the court-martial which is to be held on Mr. Stout, first-class assistant-engineer, accused of bringing off liquor to the ship without permis sion of the commanding officer. The Austrian screw steam frigate Schwarzeuberg (bearing the broad pendant of Commodore the Chevalier Alois Pokorny), Commander Zaccaria, arrived on the 6th instant, from Castelnuovo (Dalmatia) and Va lona. The Austrian ironclad Archduke Ferdinand, Captain Alfred Barry, arrived the same day from Pola and Valona. The latter ship, it will be remem bered, was the one which ran down and sank the Re d'ltalia in the memorable battle of Lissa. She has come here, without guns and ammunition, in order to be docked, and is at present in the hands of the dockyard. It is expected both ships will leave in about ten diys. The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia passed through Malta during the last few days on board the Russian steamer Olga, on his way from Odessa to Cadiz, to join the Alexander Nevski fri gate, and proceed in her on a scientific voyage to the West Indies, subsequently visiting the United States. Cholera has, I regret to say, appeared iu our lazza retto among the refugees from Tunis and Sicily. On Friday afternoon a woman, who had already under gone 19 days' quarantine after her arrival fromSusa, was attacked, and died in about 17 hours ; and on the following day another woman of the same party was attacked, and died after au illness of the same duration. A third case, that of the master of a Sici lian sailing vessel from Trani, terminated fatally on Sunday evening, the 7th inst., after eight days' qua rantine. Since then there have been no other cases, and the island generally, both as regards the military as well as the civil population, continues to enjoy excellent health. Great praise is due to Government for the energetic steps they have taken to stop the spread of the infection. Among other measures a resident physician has been appointed to the lazza retto, and the regulations have been rendered stricter than ever with regard to the disinfection of the clothes of passengers immediately on landing, and the public roads in the vicinity of the lazzaretto have been walled up. It is also under consideration to re move the soldiers from Fort Manoel, and to convert it into a cholera hospital, for separating the sick from the healthy. Quarantine has been increased from 21 to 30 days on. arrivals from all places where cholera exists, and as it has been ascertained that re fugees by availing themselves of the Marseilles route might reach Malta from Tunis and other infected countries in pratique, precautions have been taken to prevent an apprehended influx of immigrants from that quarter. At a meeting of the Board of Health, held to-day, it was decided to warn the agents of the Marseilles steamers that vessels having passengers on board from infected countries will be put in quarantine on arrival at Malta, and no passengers will be allowed to land. The object, no doubt, of this measure is to put agents on their guard against shipping passengers at Marseilles com ing either from Barbary or the Italian and Sicilian ports. The lazaretto being at present full, several vessels with refugees from Tunis on arrival here have been ordered off the island. The last accounts speak somewhat more favourably of the cholera at Tunis, and at Susa, where it was most severe, no cases had occurred for four days. Much distress, however, prevails, and a public subscription headed by the Governor, has been got up in aid of the suf ferers. £lOO has been granted from the island funds for their succour. BIRMINGHAM.—Mr. Dixon's friends have become the possessors of Mr. Murphy's tabernacle, and Mr. George Dawson, M.A., was to address the supporters of the former on his behalf last evening. Both parties are exerting them selves immensely. Mr. Dixon's friends imagined that they had nothing to do but to nominate any one of their roll of candidates and have a "walk over," whereas there will be a sharp contest. Mr. Lloyd is really a most formidable opponent, and Mr. Dixon's friends are at length awakened to that fact. Such is the urgency of the case that Mr. Bright is coming down. METEORITES.—On this subject M. Wilfrid de Fonvielle, a scientific writer whom we have often had occasion to quote, has published a series of highly in teresting articles in the Revue des Cours Scientifiques. After condensing in the former articles all we knew concerning fire-balls and falling stars, the author, in the last article published, ventures to suggest an hypothesis, which ap pears worthy of some consideration. Certain observers, he remarks, suppose the atmosphere of our globe to be com posed of two envelopes of different composition, each, of course, gaseous and transparent, but of a peculiar and dis tinct nature. Whether this be true or not, M. do Flu vielle does not presume to decide, but he points to the circumstance that even in the inferior region there is a considerable difference between the strata con taining aqueous vapour and those that do not. it may be admitted, ho thinks, that this difference is the image of that which exists in the upper regions with regard to the gaseous bodies entering into the com position of the media. To this it may be objected that the chemical analysis of the specimens of air taken in the higher strata, whether by balloon ascents or on the summits of mountains, reveals no perceptible difference in their composition, except that of aqueous vapour, carbonic acid, and other secondary ingredients; but our author is not without a suspicion that such analysis may have been con" ducted with insufficient precautions; for Mr.'Graham, the well-known inventor of dialysts, has detected a prodigious quantity of condensed hydrogen in the pores of the aerolith of Lernato. Now, hydrogen is not a constituent of the at mosphere except as an element of aqueous vapour, a nd hence it is by no means improbable to assume that the interplanetary space may be filled with hydrogen, the lightest gas we know. If such were the case, Valtz's ex' planation touching the enormous diminution of the diame ter of comets when they approach the sun would be con firmed ; an d it m i ght moreover b e suppose d th a t ther e _ would be the least possible friction in an atmosphere 4): hydrogen, even in those regions where the pressure i 9 perhaps a th ousand times greater thmt exists at the bottola of the deepest oceans.