The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-05 00:00:00

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. ' LONDON, STH DEC., 1855. MY LORDS, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN, I did not hesitate for a moment, after a first perusal of the Report of the Committee of Investigation, to pledge myself publicly to answer the charges I found in it. A more careful examination of its contents confirms me in the assurance I then gave you, that I shall be able to fully re deem that pledge. The answer, however, to be com p lete and satisfactory, requires some time and labo ur in preparation, an d I respectfully ask you to delay your final judgment in the accusations against me for as many weeks as they have taken mu:ails to get it up. Fully aware of the heavy responsibility of the engagement I am about to enter into, I nevertheless entertain no doubt that I shall by that time be in a position to convince you -Ist. That tr e allegations affecting my personal honour, or the vigilance and zeal to which I pledged myself in March, 1351, are utterly withou , foundation, 2d. That to my judgment and conduct in the management of your affairs no real or fair tests are applied in the Report, and that they aro in some instances assailed by ignorant as sumptions, and in others condemned by ex post facto results. 3d. That the depreciation in the value of your property, consequent on the publication of this !document, is unwar ranted by its actual condition, or future prospects. The reply, which I am about to prepare, will, I trust, be in the hands of the p ropr i e t ary on the 24th December instant, and as an act of justice to yourselves, as well as to the Board and myself, I...request you to adjourn the Meeting of Friday until you have both sides of the case be fore you. Then I shall have no fear of your judgment. I have the honour to be, My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, Your obedient sery an t, DAVID IVADDIIqGTO.N. M AD AME JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT-LIND. —Mr. MITCHELL has the honour to announce that Mr. and Mme. GOLDSCHMIDT have arriTed in this country with the intention of giving a Series of CONCERTS AND ORATORIOS ; and it is respectfully announced that on Monday Evening, Dec. 10, Haydn's Oratorio of TIIE CREATION will be given at EXETER HALL; and on Monday Evening, Dec. 17, Mendelssohn's Oratorio o 1 ELIJAH; in both of which Madame JENNY GOLDSC lIMIDT-L IND will sing the principal Soprano parts (her first appearance before the public since 1849). Conductor, M. Benda. l'rices of admission : —Stalls (Numbered and Reservc.l), One Guinea; unreserved seats (Body of the Hall) and West Gallery Ten Shillings and Sixpence; Area (under the West Gallery), Seven Shillings. All applications in reference to Mr. and Madame Goldschmilt's Intended Concerts, either in London or the Provinces, to be addressed to Sir. Mitchell, Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street, London. mJULLIEN'S CONCERTS. ROYAL • ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. Last Night but Nine.—Madame Gassier. THE MOZART FESTIVAL THIS EVENING.-11. JULLIEN has the honour to announce that THIS EVENING (Wednesday, December 5), being the anniversary of the Death of Mozart, the who'e of the first part of the Concert will consist exclusively of the following Works of Mozart: - Overture, II Fiala° Magic ; Concerto in E flat for Pianoforte, performed by M. A. Billet; Grand Aris, The Queen of Night; Il Flauto Magico, sun; by Madame Gassier; the Symphony in E flat (the complete work) ; Duo, La ci darem la mano, sung by M. and Mine. Gassier; and the Jupiter Symphony (the complete work). The secotai Part will be Miscellaneous, and include The Fall of Sebastopol Quadrille, assist&l by the Military Bands; The Itird of the Wild Wood, sung Iv Madame ;aslicr ; Troika song (or Russian Carriage Song) ; Solo, Oboe, by M. Lavigne ; and the Zouavo Galop. Co nmence at 8. Promenade and boxes, Is. ; dress circle, Is. 6d.; private boxes, 125., 11,15., and I/. Its. 6d. . . M. JULLIEN'S ANNUAL BENEFIT.—On Saturday next, Dec 8, M. Jutlien's Annual Benefit will take place. The Beethoven Festival will he given on Monday, Dec. 10. M. Jullien's Grand Annual Bal Masque will take place on Mon. day, Dec. 17, 1855. THEATAE KOTA!' , DRURY-LASE, Leyee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, Will be perfiguted the comic drama calltd USED UP. Followed by LITTLE TODDLEIU cS. Frimtipal character by Mr. C. Mathews. Madame Labarrere's Troupe of Lions, Bears, &c. To be followed by NITOCRIS. Characters by Messrs. E. F. Ed gar, Stuart, B. Sullivan, G. Wild, C. Vincent, &c. ; Miss Olyn, Mrs. Selby, Miss De Yore, Miss Andcrlon, MISS Cleveland, &c. ROYAL, lIITMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buekstone. THIS EVENING, Will be performed 'FILE BUSY BODY. Characters by Messrs. Howe, Chipper la e, Rogers, W. rarren, and Blackstone ; Misses Reynolds and E. Cha,lin. After which, the 32anish Dance: s. Followed by THE LITTLE TREASURE. After which, a BALLET, by the Spanish Dancers. To conclude with JOHN JONES. NIEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of 11r. Cuaum KUL THIS EVENING \i 11l be performed HOW STOUT YOU'RE GE UTING; After which, KING lIENRY THE EIGHTH. Queen Katha. rine, Mrs. C. Kean; Cardinal Wolsey, Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with A GAME OF ROMPS. TaEATUE ROYAL ADELPIII Proprietor, 'gr. fl. Webstcr.—Directress, MWatne Celeste. THIS EVENING, Will be perforami JANE I' P.tIDE Chara'Aers by Messrs. B Webster. P. Bedford, Seloy, Bland, Nforeland, Garden, C. J. Smith, ant Keeley ; Madame Celeste, Miss Mary Keeley. To conclude with TWICE KILLED. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Leisc?,, :dr. J. 11. Anbrio% IS, Norfolk-streat, Strand. LAST WEEK BU r ONE. Increased Attractions, and success in equal ratio • Tlll3, AND EVERY EVENING, at Eight o'Clock, Will 'de presented, with entirely N6W and Magnificent Appoint ments, MACIIe and MYSTERY, in twelve acts, arranged In two parts,by Professor Anderson. After which, tho startling illustrations of Spirit-Rapping. itAi-r- AN-lIOLTR WI 111 TILE SPIRIN, being the most surprising and intereiting series of experiments ever given within the walls of any theatre. Revival, in an iin,)rovect form, of the astoundin; novelty whi.:ll t artled London 10 years ago, tile GREAT GUN TRICK ! Pr;,?..21 of as nission:—Private U. Ils. GI. a 4.1 11. Is. ; Orchestra Stalls, 45.; Dress B 'Upper toxes, 21.; Pit, Is.; (I.4nary, fl. No Ifalf-price. Cox-o2lce opals from II to 5 Gran 3 \torn Perfor nanca on Saturday Next at Two o'Clock Do)ri open at Half-put One. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPRITIMATRE. Lessee and Manarr, Mr. Wm. Cooke. First Night of a New Equestrian Spectacle. Last Week of 31a , lemolsclle CLEMENTINE SOULLIER. THIS EVENING, First Week of an Equestrian Spectacle called TURPIN'S RIDE. to YORK, or the lleir of Rookwo d, with the wh , le of Mr. W. Cooke's highly-trainel Horses, the celebrated " Ride," and the Death o' I;lack Bess ! After which (the List Week) Mlle. Clementine Soullier's perfor mince In the WONDERS of the CIRCLE. To conclude with au 011 a Podrida of Amusements. N.B.—Extensive preparations are makin; for the Christmas Ilar lequinaile. • , ,T.•orflee open from F,ln7T.n till Four. Stu° Manager, Mr. W West. Eque3trian Director, NI, w. Cooke. !On. HIGH WATER AT LONDON' BRIDGE. Ti'-lg DAY—Morn..s3 min. aft. 10—Evening 23 min. aft.ll To-Ifoltaoss—Alorn. 19 min.aft.ll , —EToling 0 min. aft. (, TFIE WEXTIIER—SUN OFFICE, Dec. 5. THERMOMETER, IN THE. SHADE. 47 hizhest since noon yesterday. 45 -lowest this morning and during the night. 46 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 20 - 63. TN', N.N.W. to •N .W. Light, with fine cold weather. tet . kt; • rte _ LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1855. - - - -d- - It would almost seem that the ABERDEEN policy which (together with the peace tirades of Messrs. COBDEN and Co.) had involved the country in War was still to be continued to the last mo ment. The Allies appear to be satisfied with mere demonstrations, to abstain from following up the golden opportunities afforded to their legi • tirnate results, just as if they were afraid of exas perating Russia, and still looked forward to a favourable arrangement from her moderation and sense of justice, or anythin g , save an intolerable pressure on her resources. From the very com mencement we have earnestly protested against ' a ging "a rose-water War," or postponing the operations which could alone bring the AuToortAT to a real senste of his situation. The spirit which spared" Odessa, which induced the then Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet to apolo giie for the partial chastisement which he in flicted on the emporium of the trade of Southern Russia, as occasioned by th e wanton and atrocious violation of the law of nations, i n firing on a fl ag of truce, still exists. We h ave almost unaccount ably abstained from injuring the I enema'in many vulnerable points, where she co uld have received the heaviest blows, the great est possible discou ragement. We have permitted its trade to b e carried on under cover of the Prussian flag, and spared its commercial towns, which lay wholly at Our mercy. Wehave been contented with singlesuc ceases, where wemight have r ushed our advantages " a really telling point. Our errors are of " omission" rather than of "commission." What ever has been attempted has been accomplished. We overcame the impediments offered to our ad vance against Sebastopol on the heights of the Alma, and hurled backed the Muscovite torrent, let loose through the connivance of Austria, on the ensanguined field of Inkerman. We captured the enemy's stronghold' under unparalleled cir left per cumstances—the communications being THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 5, 1855. fectly free, so that the personnel and materiel f War could be introduced without let or hind rance, and all the resources of the AUTOCRAT rendered available for its defence. But what have we since achieved ? Nothing— literally nothing. Tile Northern Forts, that might ere this have been starved out, still remain in the possession of the adversary, thus affording a specious pretext for the subjects and Friends of Russia to assert that our triumph has been of a very partial character. Nothing has been done to dislodge the army stationed between Sebastopol and Simpheropol, and the obvious re sults arising from a movement on Kaffa and Ara bat have been disregarded. Through this culpable Apathy and negligence the road by the Spit of A.rabat will be opened during the winter, and supplies, without which they could not exist, for warded to the Russian army ! Again, at Kinbourn we have merely taken pains to poi ut out a blot, showing how completelyK herson And Nicolaieff lay at our mercy. The foe will take the significant hint, and the difficulties and ob stacles to any future expedition will be more than quadrupled. Nothing could have been more judicious than an attack similar to that which has been made, if properly followed up. Nothing more ill-advised if we are to rest on our oars frr the winter season, and give full time for affording a very warm reception, when it will become ne cessary to undertake these operations in earnest. In the Baltic our naval forces have been made a jest of. Even the Hango massacre has been un avenged, and our magnificent and very costly fleet returns without any action worth notice save the destruction of some Government stores at S%vea borg and the sparing of Helsingfors. ! It is these matters that give vitality and significance to the rumours of Peace at any price or on any conditions, for nothing but an almost irresistible influence " drifting" to wards peace, could have led to the grievous neglect of the many opportunities that have been so pa': pably wasted and misapplied since the commence ment of hostilities. By this time her most gracious Majesty the QUEEN will have conferred on her Royal Guest the most signal mark of respect and favour in her power to bestow, and the name of VICTOR EMMANUEL, King of Sardinia, will have been added to the emblazoned muster roll of the proudest order of chivalry in the world. Marks of distinction, however high and conspicuous, are not, to be sure, necessarily honourable, either to the donor or the recipient, but in this instance no one will be found disposed to deny that, in the person of the Sardinian KING, the Order of the Garter has received into its ranks as noble and chivalrous a paladin as ever illustrated its genius and spirit, and that her MAJESTY and her Royal Guest were alike honoured in the imposing cere mony of initiation—a ceremony appropriately enough selected as the crowning feature of the programme in connection with the Royal Visit. A journey by rail from Dover to Windsor, a visit to Woolwich, another to Portsmouth, and a third to the citizens of London, and a final re turn to Windsor, involve no great complexity of movement, and could by no means have taxed the ingenuity of tile Court newsman to report. But what a host of reflections and what a crowd of anticipations the record suggests !. While sped as with the speed of lightning, and with perfect ease and safety, along the line of rail, how the young KING must have been struck with so magnificent a proof of the genius and en terprise of freemen relying solely on themselves ! How profound must have been the impression as to our mechanical and warlike resources produced by an inspection of the works and the arsenal at Woolwich ! How much that impression must have been deepened by the inspection of the fleet lying off Portsmouth—those stately sea lions that, clothed with thunder, blast the foe with their hot breath, like the volleying bolts of heaven—awe-inspiring ministers of destruction, never let loose but against tyranny and wrong, and that, unless evaded, must themselves be de stroyed ere their mission be suffered to go unac complished ! But profoundest of all must the mpression have bee❑ produced by his visit of yes- terday. The citizens of the metropolis of a king dom armed with such surpassing might and pos sessed of appliances which could almost inspire a soul into the dust of ARC/lIMEDES, far from betray ing aspirations for universal dominion, or, in the vulgar arrogance of power, despising the weak —were found sternly indignant at oppression, and ardent in praise of liberty ; and, while proud to honour an ally, however feeble, in her glorious cause, reluctant to merge the enlightened cham pion in the impulsive crusader. Nor must Wind sor be forgotten. In those august halls, far away from the busy hum of industry and the haunts of enterprise, his heart must have beat with satis• faction at the thought that the constitutional monarch of the most powerful and advanced nation of the world counts as her chief residence the time-honoured abode of a long and illustrious line of regal ancestors. Nor could an Italian mind fail to be struck with the numerous addresses presented to him by our municipal and religious bodies, in token of sympathy with the cause of civil and religious liberty which he has so nobly embraced and hitherto done his best to further. That his MAJESTY is susceptible of all the im pressions we have roughly indicated will not ad mit of doubt. He is no mere romantic lad, led away as easily for evil as far good. If we and others are not egregiously deceived, beneath that fair exterior dwells an intellect as keen and mas culine as a heart generous, loyal, and unflinching. We do not credit him, however, with this susceptibi lity on mere supposition. His career tells its own tale, and his reply to yesterday's address was in ac cordance with it—modest, manly, and enlightened. It furnished proof that the good seed has been sown in any thi n g but barren ground, and that what he has witnessed of the working and the fruit of our free institutions, far from decreasing his onadenco in Isis people, and in the triumph of the cause of liberty, has fi xe d it mo re firmly than eve r on t h e most enduring foundations. Words lik e th ose uttered yesterday by one so loyal—one who h as so signally set his foot on the Machiaveinllitainieirpolicyof Italian rulers, must not be limited sig nificance. They imply a gre at and prosperous future for at least one of the States of Italy (and given one, how many more must be added civil and religious liberty enthroned where mil lions will worship her ; and commerce, under her auspices, and aided by the sail, the rail, and the telegraph, laying with busy hand and workman- like skill the founclotions of a prouder dominion than Was ever erected by Genoan merchant, or Swayed by a Duke of the noble house of Savoy. - - -- and human e th e We Commend t o t h e not i ce of the philanthrop i c another colum n of th meeting of th e 8 b Birmingham Instit u ti on f Deaf ness. No fewer than 2,86 9 report which will b e f o und in e proceedings at the annual u scribers and friends of the or the Relief of Deaf cases, it will be seen, have been treated by the institution since its commencement, while 154 Persons have been cured, and 110 considerably relieved during the present year, the number of these wh o have received benefit since the last meeting being 291. An institution of this sort, we should fancy, has but to have its claims fairly represented to meet with support, and we sincerely trust that the efforts of the supporters of this institution will not only meet with success in an equal ratio during the ensuing year, but, through the gene rosity of our readers, will be extended over a wider area. Deafness is one of those afflictions the great ness of which can be appreciated at the domestic hearth, as well as by men of science ; and we doubt not many will be delighted to aid in the restoration of the sweet sounds of affection, and the means of social communication to worthy members of society who have unfortunately been deprived of them. A cheque directed to the active secretary, Mr. DUFTON, would, we are quite sure, be thankfully acknowledged. A Meeting will be held this evening at the London Tavern—Mr. BENNOCH in the chair—to consider the State of our Monetary System, and the influence of the Bank Charter of 1844 on Domestic Industry and Foreign Commerce. No topics of greater public importance can be brought under discussion in the present position of affairs, and we trust that a large attendance of those in terested in questions of such magnitude will in dicate the feeling of the community on this occa sion. The chair will be taken at seven o'clock. Other Meetings on the same subject are to be held throughout the country. DRURY LANE THEATRE. MR. E. T. SMITH'S BENEFIT. To-morrow (Thursday) evening is fixed for the benefit of the indefatigable lessee Mr. Smith, on which occasion a most attractive entertainment is put forth. The per formances will commence with Shakspere's Katherine and Petra('kio, in which Miss Glyn and Mr. Barry Sul livan will appear. After which, the comic drama called Take That Gal Away, in which Messrs. Charles Mathews, A. Younge, Tilbury, Miss M. Oliver, Miss Wadham, and Miss Mason will perform. To be followed by the popular drama of Patter versus Clatter, in which Mr. C. Mathews will sustain his original character of Captain Patter ; added to which, the extraordinary per formance of the Lady of the Lions, Madame Laberere, with her wonderful troupe of lions, lionesses, bears, dogs, &c. ; and the whole to conclude with a grand Ballet Divertissement, in which Miss Rosins Wright will appear. Setting aside this excellent bill of fare, we think Mr. Smith is eminently entitled to public reward, for no man has laboured more assiduously to please the tastes of all parties than has that gentleman. When we consider the great exertions and expense which Mr. Smith has undertaken in order to gratify the most in ordinate desire for talent, novelty, and attraction, we feel certain a deserving public will express its gratitude, and support him on the occasion in such a manner as he is fully and fairly entitled to. TUE CASE OF COLONEL TUE. Correspondence from Constantinople states that Vis count Stratford de Redcliffe has protested energetically against the late arrest of Colonel Tur by the Austrian commander at Bucharest. The Porte also has expressed itself to the Austrian minister at Constantinople as deeply aggrieved by this outrage, seeing that the Turkish territory was the scene, and that the officer arrested is attached to an allied army, the individual members of which, by virtue of a treaty, have the right to circulate throughout the Sultan's dominions. It appears from the Ost Deutsche Post that on the 30th ult. Colonel Tur was in prison at Kronstadt, and that a council of war had pronounced his sentence. DEATH OF THE REV. R. MONTGOMERY. On Monday morning last the above-named eminent divine and preacher expired unexpectedly at Brighton, where he had a week previously preached a sermon ; and was, on Sunday last, in his own chapel, Percy-street, Tottenharn•court-road, to have pleaded on behalf of the bishopric sf Victoria, but was prevented doing so by an attack of the bile, which was, though unseen, destined to terminate his valuable career at nearly the age of fifty. lie has left behind him a widow and ono child. Mr. Montgomery was ;in the 'University of 0.i.0.ra, and about the year 1835 was ordained a priest of the Established Church. He went to Glasgow, where he became incurahont of An Rriaoopal Ohipcl, which was crowded to excess ; but, unfortunately, there was much religious antagonism between him and his Presbyterian neighbours. The rev, gentleman, quitting Glasgow, came to London and resumed his ministerial labours in Percy-street Chapel, which he rented to the day of his death. Of his impassioned and fervent elo quence much may be said—an eloquence, combined with great powers of reasoning, which invariably drew a large congregation, among whom were persons dis tinguished in science, art, and literature. Mr. Montgomery, while at College, obtained the highest honours, and, among other things, courted the Muse, which, in after years, gained him so much poetical renown. His lea•ling poetical works are, ." Tne Omni presence of the Deity," " Satan," and " Luther." Mr. Emanuel, the eminent jeweller, of No. 5, Hano ver-square, had an interview yesterday with the King of Sardinia, who selected several articles of the bijouterie for which Mr. Emanuel is so justly celebrated, and with which his Majesty expressed himself much gratified.— Morning Post. IMPORTATION AND CONSUMPTION OF OPIUM.—From a Parliamentary document, it appears that from the 6th of January to the alst of October there were 70,055 lbs. of opium imported, and the quantity entered for home consumption was 41,717 lbs. "THE MISSING CLERGYMAN."— It is stated upon au thority that this gentleman, acting under the impulse of an unaccountable illusion, has gone over to America, where he now is. At tke meeting of the Society of Arts this evening Mr. G. N. Hooper will read a paper "On the construction of private cariages in England, aryl on the carriage depart ment of the Paris Exhibition." The Earl of Shelburne, M.P., will preside. SWORD 01 HONOUR TO SIR COLIN CAMPBELL.—At a meeting of the committee forgetting up a subscription for a presentation sword ti Sir Colin Campbell, held on Saturday, drawings of swords were exhibited, when a magnificent design by Mr. 1). C. Fait, of Buchanan street was approved of, and the sword, according to drawing, ordered with that gentleman. The sword will be a Highland basket-hilted dress one, and will cost 2001. The sum already subscribed amounts to upward s of 1401.—Glasgow Daily Mail. REFORMATORY SCHOOL FOR SUSSEX.—We are happy to announce that it has been definitely arranged that a public meeting for the purpose of taking inaugural steps for the formation of a Reformatory School for Sussex, is to be held at Brighton on the 21st of the present mouth. His Grace the Duke of Richmond, as lord lieutenant of the county, has kindly consented to preside on the occasion.—Sussex Advertiser. The Government have given orders for the fittings and furniture necessary for the formation of the Isle of Wight Museum in Carisbrook Castle. The objects in the museum are to be limited to what is found or pro duced in the island. Sir Roderick Murchison is to de cide upon what shall bs admitted into the museum, and Sir Charles Fellows will have the local management pro,tem. ELECTION OF AUDITORS UNDER THE LOCAL MA NAGEMENT ACT.—The vestrymen elected under the new act are about to proceed to the appointment of auditors. In the several parishes divi3ed into wards eight audi tors in a parish of eight wards have been elected, which number will be reduced to five. Her Majesty's ship Prometheus was lying at Gibral tar on the 24th ult. The Albion arrived at the same place on the afternoon of that day. The St. George and the Neptune were lying at Lisbon on the 26th. DEATH OF BERNARD S. LLOYD, ESQ.—It is with deep regret we announce the death, at the premature age of 38, of Mr. B. S. Lloyd, who for many years has been known as a leading contributor to the London press. In this particular department, which was closely con nected with monetary and commercial affairs, he was esteemed as an impartial advocate of the principles he sup ported. During the period he was engaged in this capa e,ty his amiability of temper and obliging disposition f secured to hi m a large circle of warm and admiring riends. A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople brings the melancholy news of the death of the Polish poet, Adam Mitzkievitch. He was formerly a professor of the Sclavonic language and literature in the College of France, and recently librarian at the Arsenal. He was, a few months since, charged by the French Government with a scientific mission to the East, where he fell a vic tim to cholera. THE MAGDALENA.—Durinz the outward voyage of the Magdalena, which has just arrived home with the West India mails, one of the stewards, named Higgin botham, jumped overboard in a fit of delirium tremens, and was drowned. When the Magdalena arrived at Southampton, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, she had only 12 hours' consumption of coal left, having been out 17 days without calling at any port, and steaming at full speed the whole of the time. For seven days she encoun tered violent head winds. FORGED TEN-POUND NOTES. — Forged ten-pound note s s at the latter p ar t of the day, and, professing to be servants of some well h w a i v n e ch j e u s s t t er. eenb Fellowspassed g known family in the neighbourhood, purchase s ome o at in itetoasdhionpg, Southampton, an d b article ya forged trifling article for the family, and order it to be sent home the next day. They pay for the turned to them in change. 10/. note, and get a principal portion of the amount re- LATEST NEWS. THREATENED ATTACK ON KERTCH. MARSEILLES, DEC. 4. By the Euphrates we have advices from Con stantinople to Nov. 26. Admiral Lyons continues to cruise near the shore of the Crimea, to survey the point of Kertch, against which the Russians seem to be preparing an attack during the winter. They are fortifying Arabat, and are concentrating in its environs 30,000 men, whilst 15,000 more are sent towards Genitchi, iu order to re-establish communications between the mass of the army of Prince Gort schakoff and the interior of Russia by the road over the Spit of Arabat. The guns of the boats and steamers of the Allies, and of their floating batteries, can reach the Russian convoys along the whole route, and across the whole breadth of the Spit, unless mari time operations are suspended by the freezing of the Sea of Azoff. Accounts from Kertch state that the Russian cavalry, which had been in the neighbourhood of that place, have retired into the interior. Five gun-boats are still cruising in the Sea of Azoff. Three hundred sail of merchantmen are lying wind-bound in the Sulina mouth of the Danube. Three Anglo-German regiments were expected at Coils tau ti nopl e. HAMBURG, TUESDAY. A despatch from St. Petersburg announces that a grand council of war is convoked. All the Archdukes, with Generals Paniutin, Berg, Sievers, and Grabbe, and all the Admirals, except those employed in the South, are summoned to attend. [General Grabbe commands the army corps in Esthonia, General Sievers that of the Baltic occu pying Courland and Livonia, General Berg that of Finland, General Paniutin the central army, and the troops collected in and around St. Peters burg are under the command of one of the arch dukes.] KONIGSBERG, TUESDAY. An order has been issued prohibiting the im portation of goods of any kind from Russia across the land frontier. Personal communication is also restricted to a minimum. The cattle disease has broken out in a malignant form. MADRID, DEC. 3. The Cortes have carried a voto of confidence in General O'Donnell, by a majority of 131 to 8. THE CRIMEA. The following letter (French) has been received from Constantinople, under date of the 22d ult. : " The news from the Crimea brought by this day's courier is of the 20th. It seems that any movement whatever, under present circumstances, has become impossible. The Russians occupy for midable positions, which they do not appear to think of quitting, as they construct each day new works, such as they so well know how to make, which would indicate that they have no intention of evacuating the Crimea, as most persons suppose. They are far from being in want of provisions or munitions of all kinds. These facts you may rely on, as I have them from a person who has just ar rived from the Crimea, and who was in a good position to know exactly the position of both armies. D. LLia as 14 may, our troops, as .1 ineucio..a lu my last letter, are always prepared for the combat. Our positions are impregnable, and to have any chance against us a regular siege would be neces sary. The Russians know it well ; the only idea they can have is to attempt to surprise us, and the thing is not possible. The only thing that remains for them is to change the theatre of war. The expedition to Kinbourn has given the Russians a sufficient indication, and they therefore work at Nicolaieff with the utmost ardour. It is General Todtleben who directs the works, and you know what ho has done at Sebas topol. " At Eupatoria an important affair is out of the question. The Russians have choked up the wells, and, besides, they have a considerable force. Gene ral d'Allonville, tempted by his first success, wished before engaging in a new action to ascertain the re sources of the enemy, and you know that on the occasion of his great reconnaissance lately he stum bled on 80 guns and an army of 60,000 men. He has therefore judged it prudent to undertake no thing in that quarter. The campaign is regarded generally as over for this winter, and we must wait for spring. If Sweden enter into the Western alli ance, and Russia be seriously menaced at Cronstadt or any other points, she will soon be obliged to draw off her forces from the south. " The health of the army is excellent. The num ber of beds in the hospitals has been diminished, and they are even speaking of suppressing the hos pitals of 11131013 6 and Daoud-Pasha: In the Crimea hospitals are established for 6,000 sick." KERTCII. The Constitutionnel contains the following letter from Kertch : " The Turko-English Contingent has at last done something, and it may now be seen that, if pro perly managed, that corps can do good service. Th e Russians hid collected at some distance in the in terior a large quantity of hay for the supply of the army in the Crimea and Caucasus, which they had piled in stacks of enormous height. The quantity was sufficient to feed 50,000 horses during the whole winter. That hay was under the protection of a corps of between 4,000 and 5,000 men. The English, nevertheless, contrived to carry away part of it and destroy the remainder, the Russians being unable either to repel their attack or to extinguish the conflagration. The Turko-English Contingent is encamped at Kertch, in a valley surrounded with rocks, forming a natural fortification easy to defend. The officers are delighted with Kertch, which is a fine town, with wide, well-paved streets, remarkable for their regularity. The houses are of cut stone, one or two storeys high, and having all handsome façades. They are all pro vided with stoves, throwing out considerable heat, which is acceptable, for the cold is beginning to be severely felt. The market is abundantly supplied, and provisions may be had on reasonable terms. In the neighbourhood of the town are here and there elegant country houses, now abandoned, and villages of a wretched appearance, in each of which is to . be seen a sort of castle surrounded with fosses. They also contain a number of windmills. The English are constructing huts for the winter and fortifying their camp. They have received a rein forcement of 12 Turkish regiments destined to complete the Contingent. The Russians maintain a large force, with a numerous artillery, at Arabat. A corps of 10,000 men occupies Kaffa, 10,000 more have just arrived at Koula, and there are still about 20,000 Russians on the Circassian coast." FRANCE. The Moniteur of yesterday gives several civil, naval, and military appointments. The Emperor received on Monday, Riza Bey, recently the Turkish Envoy at Athens, MM. de Faaborg, de Bulow, and de Bertouch, Danish military officers, and numerous foreigners of dis tinction, on the presentation of their respective Ambassadors. There is nothing new in its foreign department. RUSSIA. The Inva/ide Busse publishes the following ac count of the Emperor Alexander's visit to the Crimea : " His Majesty the Emperor deigned, on the 28th of October (9th of November), to honour his army in the Crimea with a visit. " The Commander-in-Chief and all the civil and mili tary authorities who were at Bakshiserai had assembled in the church ; at 2 o'clock the ringing of bells and loud cheering announced the arrival of the Emperor and of their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael. At the porch the Emperor was received by the Clergy with the cross and holy water. After having heard prayers for the preservation of the days of the adored Sovereign and of his illustrious house, his Majesty proceeded - on foot to the residence of the Commander-in-Chief, whom he deigned to honour with his visit, and thence went to the house which had been prepared for his reception, the Palace of Bakshiserai having been turned into a temporary military hospital. " At the doorway a deputation of the citizens had the honour of presenting bread and salt to his Majesty ; at the same time the Mayor of the Taitars of Bakshiserai and the Rabbi of the Caraimes were presented to his Majesty. "Having entered his apartment., his Maje3ty deigned to receive all the members of the staff of the Crimean army, and expressed to them his gratitude for their faithful services. "During the journey from Simpheropol to Bakshi serai, his Majesty had already inspected, at the Alma station, a portion of the troops of the 2d Infantry Corps stationed there, and, on his arrival at Bakshiserai, his Majesty proceeded to the Katcha, where, in front of the camp, he reviewed a portion of the troops of the 4th in fantry corps, the artillery, and the militia. His Majesty returned to town to dinner. "At table the Emperor, who had invited the Aides de-Camp General, the Imperial Aides de-Camp, and the Generals of the Head-quarters, proposed a toast in honour of the army of the Crimea. " In the evening the tortuous streets of Bakshiserai and its elegant minarets were illuminated with coloured lamps, and on the heights of the rocks which overhang the narrow valley of Bakshiserai tar-barrels were lit. The mixed population of the town thronged the streets till night, admiring this unusual and picturesque scene. A similar illumination took place on the subsequent evenings. " The next day, 29th of October (10th of November), the Emperor, accompanied by their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael, and by his Highness Duke George of Mecklenbargh-Strelitz, and his suite, proceeded in an open carriage at 8 a.m,, with the Commander•in-Chief, to the Douvankioi station, and thence, after changing horses, to the troops of the sth Infantry Corps posted near the fortifications of the north side of Sebastopol, to inspect, in front of their camp, those troops that were not actually on duty. Thence his Msjesty proceeded on horseback to the Volokhoff Tower, from which he took a survey of the neighbour hood, the sea, and the city which had fallen after a glo rious struggle. His Majesty then visited the fortifica tiocs of the north side. "His Majesty then reviewed the troops of the 4th infantry corps, posted between Inkeratan and the Mac kenzie heights. " In this excursion his Majesty accepted an invitation to a breakfast prepared for him by Lieutenant-General Pauloff, during which his Majesty again thanked every one and proposed a toast in honour of the 11th Infantry Division ; thence his Majesty returned to Bakshiserai. " On Sunday the 30th of October (11th of November), after hearing mass, his Majesty proceeded to the troops of the 3d and sth infantry corps etationad on the Belbek, and reviewed them ; his Majesty then inspected the po sitions at Youkary Karaleze and reviewed the troops of the 3d corps of Infantry, which occupied them. After visiting on horseback our most advanced Cossack posts near the defile leading into the Baidar valley, his Ma jesty returned to Bakshi Serai. " On the 31st of October (12th of November) his Ma jesty the Emperor inspected the troops of the 3d and 4th infantry corps stationed on the Katcha and in the defile of Tasch-Bastine. " On his return to town his Majesty visited the palace of Bakshi-Serai, conversed with the wounded and sick officers and men, asked them respecting their services, and expressed his gratitude. At 3 p.m. his Majesty, accompanied by his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Michael, left for Simpheropol. "At all these reviews his Majesty the Emperor thanked the troops in the most gracious terms for their faithful services and their courage, for the constancy with which they supported so many hardships, and for the self-denial they displayed in the heroic defence of Sebastopol and in other encounters with the enemy. On this occasion, his Majesty, assembling around Lim the Generals, superior and subaltern officers, in quired, with paternal solicitude, respeeting their wounds, and thanked them, all and each individu ally. Entering the ranks the Emperor conversed most graciously with the soldiers decorated with the military medal, questioned them respecting the battles or sorties where they had earned that distinction, and listened to their replies with the kindest interest. "The troops, penetrated with sentiments of fidelity, love, and most profound devotion for our august Sove reign, received the Emperor with enthusiastic cheers. The officer.', by impulse, formed in groups round the Monarch to express their unbounded love and their readiness to die for him. " We will do all that is in our power, Sire ! We will not spare ourselves,' was the general exclamation of the officers to the gracious and flattering expressions of confidence of the Sovereign in the indomitable warlike virtues of his soldiers. On the Ist (13th) of November, the Commander-in- Chief received from Simpheropol an order of the day from his Majesty the Emperor addressed to the army of the Crimea, conferring upon the heroic defenders of Sebastopol a silver medal instituted in commemoration of the nearly one year's siege of that town, to be worn at the button-hole with the riband of the order of St. George. His Majesty deigned to renew to the Crimean army the expression of his gratitude and Imperial goodwill. "On the same day his Majesty deigned to honour the Commander-in-Chief with an Imperial reeoript couched in the most gracious and flattering terms." A allnDiernPnt to the Invalide Bits°. the following : . " Aide-de- Camp General Prince Gortechakoff an• nounces, under date of the 11th (23d) of November, at 3.30 p.m., that up to that moment nothing particular had occurred in the Crimea. •` Some days previously a French Colonel and a French Captain, who had made a reconnoissance on horseback, were captured at our advanced posts." All correspondence from Russia that is spoken of in Berlin, as coming from well-informed sources, expresses astonishment at the rumours of pacific overtures, &c., current in the press ; the only facts the letters contain point to energetic pre parations for a renewal of the war in the spring. They talk of the Crimea being supplied by that time with a force of 300,000 men, and of the posi tion at Kertch being wrested from the Allies as soon as the Sea of Azoff is frozen over sufficiently' strong for the passage of troops ; this latter posi tion is looked upon as nearly as valuable as that of the north side of Sebastopol. Great efforts are being made to increase the flotillas of row-boats at Cronstadt, Sweaborg, and on Lake Ladoga ; a portion of the crews of the Black Sea fleet is being draughted to the north for the purpose of helping to this end, and it is ex pected that there will shortly be a second levy of seafaring men with the same obiect in view. Nicolaieff is described as having been put into a state of defence very satisfactory to those interested in its not being taken, and it is intended that the winter shall be turned to good account in further strengthening it as well as Cronstadt. It is to the nobility of the Government of Cheraw.), as it ap pears, that the army in the Crimea owes the possi bility of maintaining itself in full force'in the Tau rian peninsula since the destruction of the Russian communications by way of the Sea of Azoff. THE BALTIC. KIEL, Dec. 2.—The Dragon arrived hero yester day from Faro, which place she left on the 28th. The Retribution, carrying the flag of Admiral Baynes, was the only vessel she left there. She was anchored in the inner harbour. All the rest of tho flying squadron are cruising- in the C'rulf of Finland and along the coasts of Courland, where they must have a cold and hard time of it. They are expected to leave their present stations for Kiel about the 16th. There is nothing certain as yet known about the movements of the fleet remaining here ; but it is fully expected most of the ships will leave in a very few days. The weather continues fine for the sea son, freezing at night and thawing in the day. Last night the bay at its upper part was covered with a thin film of ice. The following will be 'read with much interest " H.M.S Jacobstadt, Gulrof Bothnia, Nov. 12, 1855. "The blockade of the Gulf of Bothnia is raised, and all the vessels of war' employed on that ser- Vie 6 are ordered to Nargen to join the Admiral ; and their respective logs will show what a vast amount of property has been destroyed in this arm of the Baltic Sea during the few months the blockade has been on. The Tartar anchored here on the sth inst., and on the following day sent all her boats in (armed) to cut out' some merchant vessels moored a short distance from the town. On their arrival they found them fast in ice four inches thick ; the crews had just begun to break the ice in order to get at them, when a field battery of some four or five guns opened fire on them with shot and shell. They having the boats completely within range, while the boats' guns were unable to reach the shore, Captain Dunlop deemed it prudent to abandon the tedious opera tion of cutting the vessels out of the ice (which could not have been accomplished without immi nent risk of life), and return to the ship, not, however, without giving them in return a few shells and rockets in way of defiance. Next day boats were employed in sounding to see if it was possible to get the ship near enough to give the scoundrels a drubbing, and cover the boats while the vessels were either got out or destroyed ; but they found a bar,' on which there was not more than nine feet of water, precluding all possibility of the ship getting within 'range.' _ " The thagon:paddle, anchored here on the 7th, ever since which time the wind has been from the south-west, and all the ice which had formed in the harbour has broken up, so that we are now awaiting a change of wind to the northward, so as to close the navigation, that we may be enabled to sail and join the admiral. The mean temperature for this last week has been 40 degrees. During the time the Tartar has been lying here she has taken and destroyed several small vessels loaded with salt. " Nov. 14,—The Dragon and Tartar sailed in order to proceed to the southward to join the ad miral. The Tartar took a brigantine (Lubeck co lours), having on board a general cargo, manned her, and has sent her to England. Splendid weather. " Nov. 16.—The Dragon and Tartar anchored in Hernosand (Sweden), and took in each 30 tons of coals. " Nov. 18.—The Dragon and Tartar sailed from Hernosand. Ice making rapidly in the harbour. Weather fine. Thermometer 28 deg. "Nov. 20.—Both ships anchored in Ledsund. No vessels of war there. The Tartar landed some Russian prisoners. Sailed next morning for Nar gen. Beautiful weather ; thermometer standing at 38 deg. " Nov. 22.—Steamed through between Revel and the Isle of Nargen. Finding no ships to an anchor there, shaped our course for Faro. "Nov. 23.—Fe1l in with the Esk, who informed us that the flying squadron was cruising off Hango." " H.M.S.--, Faro, Nov. 24. "Arrived here to-day, and found at anchor the Retribution, Dragon, Harrier, D'Assas (French frigate), and a Swedish corvette. We are all com pleting with coals and provisions preparatory to sailing on our last cruise for the season. The weather still remains fine and mild ; no signs of ice in this harbour. " Signal made, opportunity for letters for Eng land, via Kiel, by the Dragon. Yesterday blow ing a gale o f w i n d, with sleet. Report says we sail tomorrow or next day on a cruise. THE MEDITERRANEAN. MARSEILLES, DEC. 2. A great proportion of the inhabitants of Mar seilles assembled to-day in the plains of St. Michael, to witness a review by the General Rostolan of the garrison and of the troops lately arrived from the Crimea. The Tirailleurs Algeriens were the great object of attraction. This corps, almost exclusively composed of Arabs, distinguished itself in a re markable manner during the siege of Sebastopol, particularly at the capture of the Mamelon Vert. When they embarked at Algeria they consisted of above2,ooo men ; they are now reduced to 1,100, of whom not more than 20 have escaped without wounds. Unfortunately, the public were disap pointed in seeing the evolutions they expected, for when General Rostolan arrived on the ground at 12 o'clock rain began to fall heavily, and the Gene ral dismissed the troops after a short inspection. There have been but few troops embarked for the East during the last week. A letter received from Genoa, dated Friday last, mentions an improvement in the health of the ex- Queen of France Marie Amelie. THE SWEDES AND THEIR GOVERN- ME NT. (From a Correspondent of the Morning Advertiser.) The Government of Sweden has passed, after re peated fluctuations between absolute monarchy and the predominance of the aristocracy, into a limited monarchy like our own, but hereditary in the male line of the reigning family, which failing, the King, with the consent of the people, may nominate a successor. The King, as well as the members of his council, must be of the Lutheran religion, which is also the established creed of the realm. The civil list for the maintenance of the king amd his household is about 50,000/. ; that of the Crown Prince about a third. The royal prerogative ex tends over the foreign relations of the kingdom, both as to peace and war ; over the administration of justice, the command of the army and navy, and the appointment of archbishops, bishops, and judges, who are remarkable only for misconduct. The King has a veto on the enactments of the Le gislature. The Executive, like our own, is divided into departments, the heads of which may be sum moned before the Council to give their advice on matters within their departments. s The Swedish Legislature, or Diet, answering to orir Parliament, is composed of four different orders of society—the nobility, clergy, burghers, and peasants. Rich has a separate house of estate of the Legislature ; and no bill can pass, even with the Royal assent, unless it has received the sane , tiou of three out of the four houses. The House of Nobles is composed of the heads of each of the noble families ; that of the Clergy consists of the twelve Bishops, with the Archbishop of Up sala at their head, and sixty deputies elected from the various dioceses ; the deputies from the towns are 97 in number, and those from the country districts 144, both requiring a small pro perty qualification. The nobility maintain them selves ; the members of the other three houses are maintained by their constituents. The civil and military employes o f G overnmen t f orm a l arge ma jtot, „ e +l , 7 frl. ea frm deliberate sometimes together, sometimes sepa rately. In the former case, questions are carried by a simple majority. The Diet meets every fifth year, or oftener, if convened by the King, and sits for three months, unless the pi essure of business requires a longer sitting. The national character of the people is remark able for simplicity in manner, dress, and feeling. They are hospitable and industrious. Their honesty is remarkable, as is shown by the fact that charity-boxes are fixed up by the way side, not one of which has ever been known to be plundered. Doors are constantly left on the latch ; horse-stealing and sheep-stealing are unknown. The population is be tween three and four millions ; it increased wonder fully under Bernadotte, whose wise rule had also the effect of doubling the commerce of Sweden, while he patronised every species of improvement, constructed canals, erected- schools, and did all that could be done to promote the cause of educa tion. The naval and military force has never been large ; the latter never amounting to more than 50,000 men. The original inhabitants were a colony of Fins, from the banks of th e Volga and the vicinity of fount Caucasus, who were expelled by the hordes of Germans, three centuries before the Christian era, or became amalgamated with them. The present Swedes are of Teutonic or Gothic origin, together with the Danes and Nor wegians. The revenue is small, falling on each individual at the rate of nine shillings a head; and the national debt, which at one time was 6,000,0001., was, many years ago, reduced to little more than a million. DISCOVERY OF IRONSTONE.—During the last few months large excavations of ironstone have Leon made in Middlesborough. Ti e material has been found in such quantities as to lead to the establishment of ex tensive smelting works, anti a superior pig-iron is manufactured. Large orders have been received, em ployment has increased, and the demand fur houses has increased with it. The consequ ence is, that, in spite (1 the general inactivity of trade in North Yorkshire, Mid dlesborough is in a most flourishing state. TFIE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.—On Wed nesday next, the 12th instant, the election by the metro politan vestries of members to constitute the Board of Works will take place. The City of London will return three, and the highest number to a single parish is two. Several magistrates are candidates. It is not necessary that a vestryman should be elected. Mn. H. K. SEYMER, M.P.—This gentleman spoke to the toast of "The County Members," at the dinner suc ceeding the annual cattle show of the Sturminster New ton Agricultural Society, on Thursday last. Mr. Seymer declared himself in favour of a vigorous prosecution of the war, and afterwards touched en the question of agri cultural statistics, expressing considerable doubts as to their success or importance. LOVE AND SUlClDE.—Yesterday morning Mr. W. Baker, the coroner, received information of the follow. ing painful case of self-destruction committed by a female named Elizabeth Jerden, aged 21 years, whose friends reside at No. 3, Kingsgate-terrace, Hackney road, Bethnal-green. It appears that the deceased, who was a dressmaker, bad formed an attachment to a young gentleman holding a situation in a City banking-house. During the past week the deceased had been in a low and desponding state of mind, through a quarrel which she had had with her sweetheart, who had discarded her for the sake of another. On Monday morning the deceased left home shortly before eight o'clock, and was not seen alive afterwards, but a letter was subsequently received by her mother, which disclosed th e f act that she had drowned herself in the Regent's Canal, near Victoria-park, Bonner's-fields. The relations were sadly affected at the sudden news, and no time was lost in giving information to the parochial authorities, when several men procured the drags and searched the canal, and at a late hour the body of the unfortunate young female was discovered. Mr. George Lane, the surgeon, was called to examin e th e dec ease d, b ut his serviceseon were of course useless. A letter was found in her pocket, addressed to her late sweetheart, but the police took charge of the document until the inquest. The payments yesterday consequent upon the 4th of the month were extremely heavy, but they were well met in all quarters, and no sign of pressure or of want of confidence was anywhere observable. CRYSTAL PALACE—ONE SHILLING DAY, Dec. 4.—Ad missions on payment, 594 ; admission by season tickets, 162. Total visitors, 756. Corresponding day last year, 972. A STEAMER BLOWN UP AND EIGHT LIVES LOST.—QUE BEC, Nov. 19.—The Finley (propeller), Langley, burst her boiler, Bth November, off Port Stanley (Canada West). The after part of the vessel was blown out, and she sank immediately in 10 fathoms water ; seven men and a woman lost ; 15 persons saved. IMMENSE SnoaLs or HERRINGS have been found off Weymouth. As many as 1,000 bushels have been caught at one fishing. They have been seliing at 2s. and 3s. a bushel. No such a November for fine weather has been known in ,the south of England for the last thirty yea rs as was experienced last month. The last time November passed off without storms very large shoals of herrings visited the southern shores of Engl and. LITERATURE. The Poetry of Creation. In seven Parts. By Nicholas Michell. Chapman and Hall. Happily for us Mr. Michell .is one of those ex ceptional writers of verse still living who, accord ing to Arago's notion of such matters, contrives to be politely comprehensible. His thoughts, metri cally expressed, are not, as with so many of his spasmodic contemporaries, rugged little nut s t o b e mumbled and cracked— an d very often when cracked found to contain, in lieu of any ripened kernel, a mere, little, soap-flavoured, leathery, nothing 1 Rather be it said of his poems as of the more bloom ing shrubs of the garden, that their leaves will be found interspersed plentifully —nob with sour hazel pods, or disappointing filberts, fruits composed for the most part of husk and shell, encasing some wizened atom of mouldering pith, but, as with any full-grown orange-bush—abundantly laden, among its leaves, with the verdant germs of thought, and the golden fruit of philosophy, and the silvering flowers of rhetoric, the threefold products of a really prolific and genuinely poetic imagination. These characteristics were especially observable in Mr. Michell's earliest metrical production of any importance, whether as to the scope of its theme or the amplitude of its treatment —we allude to his elegant archaeological poem, " The Ruins of Many Lands," a work already in its fourth edition, and one which it will be remembered celebrated the glories collectively of such renowned localities as Babylon, Nineveh, Athens, Rome, Corinth, Pom peii, Baalbec, Palmyra, Persipolis, and Jerusa lem. They were, moreover, scarcely less observ able—these amiable and acceptable characteristics of Mr. Michell's intellectual capacity—in his historical poem entitled " Spirits of the Past," a poem descriptive among other celebrated person. ages, of military heroes, extending in point of time from the remote days of Xerxes to the later age of the Great Napoleon. Qualities no less admirable are equally to be discerned in the new poem now lying before us—the remarkable effusion in whose seven books, or cantos, Nicholas Michell has ven tured with a daring and sonorous voice to ehaunt forth a lay relating to some few among the innu merable wonders of what he has here aptly termed " The Poetry of Creation." An adventurous theme, surely ; one, indeed, in it se lf a lt oge th er as sublime and stupendous as those celestial themes which occupied long since the colossal genius of a Milton and of an Algierhi—leading one into the abysses of Heaven, and Hell, and Purgatory, the other successively through the primeval regions of a Paradise Lost, and the apocalyptic glories of a Paradise Regained. The scheme of the work before us, we repeat, is bold, almost beyond the limits of exaggeration ; but Mr. Michell proves, by the mode in which he has treated it throughout, to have been in no way rash in its selection. " The Poetry of Creation," as here interpreted by our author in a lofty but reverential spirit, expressed through fancies articulated in rhymed octo-syllabic verse, flowing and melodious from the first line to the last, opens with the awful and holy thought of the Deity—spreading thence, from that unutterable centre of the universe, as from a mathe matical point, ever and ever in enlarging circles, through a space without either breadth or length, or height or depth, or diameter or circumference. Treating of Angelic Intelli gences, of the Mosaic Record, of the Mechanism of the Heavens, of an Evil Spirit, of the Solar System, of the Earth newly-created and afterwards Baptised by the Deluge, of Man, of Womao, of valleys, of mountains, of the river, the lake, the ocean, of the vegetable world and the animal world, of bird and beast, of fish and insect, of forest-leaf and waterdrop, of soul and body, of sin and redemption I How subjects such as these are sung in harmonious numbers by Mr. Michell may be indicated, of course, loss clearly by analysis than by actual quotation. Wherefore let us illustrate by extract rather than by description our author's power of celebrating thus, in verses of great beauty, the wonder, and the glory, and the loveliness of the "Poetry of Creation." He is speaking of a bulb— " Behold a wonder !—stoop, survey This rough, rude thing ; a clod of clay As shapelul and as fair ; the husk Not coloured-touched, but dull and dusk ; The eye rejects its dingy dress, The foot would crush its worthlessness. Give it to vivifying earth, Warm sun and shower, and what has birth I The torpid bulb, you fancied dead, Sends from its dark and loamy bed, The veined soft leaf of lively green, And daily mystic growth is seen ; It still expands, most simple, plain, But how ? all science asks in vain. And now—sweet sight !—doth upward swell, Through parted leaves, the tulip's bell ; And as breaks Morning's genial hour, Her sunny fingers ope the flower." Whereupon, with the true feeling of a poet, he dores down with 4-1,- U. gorgeous chsii‘o of the tulip—thus : " Look in this palace-hall, that glows With loveliest hues that Nature knows The walls rich amber, and each fold Of drapery with crimson bound, The petals, gorgeous lamps of gold, Diffusing scents and richness round. No painter's hand could colours lay, Like those the tulip's leaves display ; The iris e'en, in Spring's soft sky, Might pale her arch for jealousy. The passing zephyr stays his wing, And enters the enchanted place, And drinks perfume as from a spring, • All wondering at the bower of grace. The bee, bold epicure, which flies From plant to plant, and sips their sweets, But turns distasteful till he meets The feast he loves, here finds a prize. His deep delight hose hummings tell, But when he plunges in the cell, And walks along the silky floor, And the full banquet revels o'er, For ecstacy he hums no more. There lies he in that flower of June, There sleeps he in the warmth of noon, Drinking rich wine from amber cup, Till round the bacchant all things swim ; And when he strives to clamber up, He scarce can reach the tulip's brim ; And wandering home with laden thighs, And jocund heart, and sleepy eyes, He ne'er forgets that gorgeous flower, The honied Queen of Summer's bower." Occasionally, it seems to us, we will admit, that our author, in his exceeding lucidity of thought and perspicuity of expression, degenerates into colloquialisms altogether unworthy of a theme so grand and awful as " The Poetry of Creation." As where he speaks of the passage of light from one of the remoter stars as a— " Task that commenced when Adam rose— Might till this hour through space have run, Nor brought his journey to a close, But found it only just begun !" Or, again, whore he says of the adorable Divinity : " From out His throne there flashed a light, Soft as his love, yet richly bright,"— an adjective miserably weak and indefinite, being in truth a specimen of the Rosa-Matilda kind of prettily-modulated phraseology. Blemishes such as these, however, are rather blurrs than deformi ties. They are, so to speak, in reference to the form of tho poem, rather as a mole on the arm of a Cynthia, than as a hunch on the back of an An ti nous. Flaws to be regarded as of no account, when compared with so much attendant excellence. " The Poetry of Creation," let us add, in fine, is to the venerable text of the Holy Bible—be it reve rently spoken—as an exquisite vignette illustration. AMALGAMATION OF TWO WEST-END BANKING FIRMS. Two of the West-end banking firms, Messrs. Ransom and Co., of Pall-mall East, and Messrs. Bouverie and Co., of the Haymarket, acting upon the recent sugges tion that a combination of the smaller establishments would be advantageous both for themselves and th public, have resolved upon an amalgamation, and the business of the two houses will, on and after the Ist of next month, be conducted under the address of Ransom, Bouverie, and Co. Among the benefits to be derived from such a junction the guarantee it affords of the sound position of both banks is an important one, since a common assumption of liabilities is scarcely likely to be proposed and adopted except in cases where each house is prepared to show to the other that the solidity of its position is beyond the possibility of question, In the present instance the arrangement, and all the inves• tigations connected with it, are understood to have taken place under the auspices of one of the most influential of the city bankers. Annexed is the circular announce ment : " Pall-mall East, Dec., 1855. "We beg to inform you that Mr. Williams and Mr. Squire having for some time contemplated retiring alto gether from business, an arrangement has been made by Mr. Kinnaird to form a junction between Ransom and Co. and the highly-respectable banking firm of Bouverie and Co., of the Haymarket. " The partners in the new firm will be the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, the Hon. Pleydell Bouverie, Mr. Murdoch, Mr. Philip Pleydell Bouverie, and Mr. James. " On and after the lat of January next the business will be carried on at the above address in the name of Ransom, Bouverie, and Co. "We hope this arrangement will prove satisfactory to you, and that the same confidence hitherto reposed in us will be extended to the new firm. "RANSOM AND CO." THE EXPLOSION AT WOOLWICII.—One of the poor suf f(-reN from the explosion in the Royal Arsenal on Mon day, named Henry Langbarn, died of the injuries be re ceived at half.past 9 o'clock on Monday evening. Another named Thomas Holland is in such a dreadful stateitbat he is not expected to survive.