The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVEN] NGDECEMBER 11, 1855. MADAME JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT-LIND. EXETER-HALL, Monday Evening, Dec 17. - Mr. MITCHELL respectfully announces that Mendelssohn's Ora orio of ELIJAH will be performed on 3londay next, Dec. 17. Principal Singers : advancing by easy stages—taking a single step at a time--and waiting to see what the effect thereof might be on a determined adversary. Had we at any time shown ourselves to be really in earnest the effects might and would have been very different. But we have invariably been " waiting" for Austria, or Prussia, or some other laggard in the political race, and seeking .rather to bring them up to the mark than to make the most of our own opportunities. The Russians have not thus been restricted; they make the most of " Germanism," while we suffer ourselves to be fettered by elements which have never yet been rendered beneficial to Great Britain, or to English interests. We have taken Sebastopol, and frightened Kaffa, have captured Kinbourn, and cautioned Nicolaieff—affrighted the inhabitants of Kherson, and taught Simpheropol to be on its guard. But these are only matters to be discussed at a future time, in which the exposure of our hand, the practical "throwing down of our cards," must be very advantageous to our opponents. In every respect we have been " too late," and have paid most usurious and ruinous interest for the delay. Nothing effectual can now be done. One of the most powerful Armies ever employed on any side will be inactive during the winter, as it has been for the last three months. It has practically le tired into winter quarters, and although we hope and believe that it may not suffer privations simi lar to those which last year cast so heavy a blot on English administration, we can scarcely anti cipate that the " dull season" will be turned to as much advantage by ourselves as by the adver sary. The snow roads will, for them, be particu larly useful, in fact they are now being made so, as the SINW sledges at Perekop, six miles long, with provisions, amunition, and stores, bear witness. All their existing resources will be rendered available, so that they cau stake their all upon a final cast, or, what is perhaps more formidable, appear to have that remaining chance, so as to use it as an argument to obtain terms to which they are by n• means entitled. Miss Dolby, ' Mr. Lockey, Madame GOLDSCHMIDT, I Miss Meese it, Mr. Lawler. and Mr. H. Praham. Doors open at Seven, to commence at Eight o'clock. ,Haydn's Oratorio of THE CREATION will be repeated on Thurs day, Dec. 27, in which Madame Goldschmidt will sing the principal Soprano part. The Chorus and Orchestra for these performances will consist of more than 600 performers. Conductor, M. Benedict. Prices of admission.—Seats in the Area, Seven Shillings ; West Gallery and Body of the Hall, Ten Shillings and Sixpence; Reserved and Numbered Seats, 11. Is. All applications in reference to Mr. and Madame Goldschmilt's Intended Concerts, either in London or the Provinces, to be addressed to Mr. Mitchell, Royal Library, :33, Old Bond-street, London. juLLIEN'S CONCERTS M. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. Most positively the Last Night but Four. MADAME GASSIER'S BENEFIT—THIS EVENING. M. dallier, kas the honour to announce that Madame Gasster's Benefit will take place This Evening (Tuesday, Dec. 11), on which occasion the following most attractive programme will be performed : —Overture, William Tell ; Quadrille from Ernant ; the Larghetto from Beethoven's Symphony in 1) ; Wild Flowers Valse (by desire, (first time this season); Cavatina from 11. Trovatore, and Una Voce, sung by Madame Gassier; the Warsaw Varsonien (first time) ; Irish Melody, The Last Rose of Summer, sung by Miss Ellen Williams ; Grand Quadrille, ,the Fall of Sebastopol, assisted by the Military Bands; Overture, Macbeth (first time); La Prima Donna Vales ; the Andante from Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony ; the: Cornet Polka (second time) ; Solo, Flute, by I'lerr Reichart ; and the Zottave (Salop. Commence at 8. Promenade and boxes, Is. ; dress circle, Is. fd. ; private boxes, 125., 1/.15., and V. 11 s . 6d. HERR KCENIG'S BENEFIT will take place on Thursday next, Dec. 13 (last night but two). M. Jullien's Grand Annual 13a1 Masque will take place on Mon day, next, Dec. 17, 18.55. 1 MITH'S GRAND BAL MASQUE at DRURY v. 7 LANE, for the MILLION. Reduced - prices, but increased amusement.—Promenade, 7s. Gi ; private boxes, for two persons, 10s. 6d. ; for four, one guinea ; dress circle, 2s. 6d. ; boxes and galleries, Is. Mr. E. T. Smith, Lessee, respectfully informs the Nobility, Gen try, and Public, that a GRAND BAT. MASQUE will take place at tile above Theatre on WEDNESDAY, December 12, on a scale of ma.- nitude and expense never before attempted. A superb salon de danse, 4117 feet in length, embellished and decorated with illuminated oowers, variegated lamps, and novel devices. Enlarged orchestra, well-appointed masters of the ceremonies, all the new dances, music, &c. Tickets, 7s. 6d. each, to be obtained at the principal music sellers and librarians, and at the theatre. Several thousand varie gated lamps, by Duffell. The whole of 'the novel gas fittings under the superintendence of Mr. Jones, of Bow-street, assisted by Mr. Palmer. The decorations by Dickwynken, assisted by Mr. v , ed ham. The Bowers and scenery arranged by Mr. Tucker. The re freshments by Messrs. Scott and Watling, of Piccadilly and Pimlico. Masters of the Ceremonies under the direction of Mr. Jarvis. The police under Superintendant llancock. The Box-office under the superintendence of Mr. Chatterton. THEATRE ROYAL, DRGIRT-LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, Will be performed KATHERINE AND PETRUCHIO. Kathe rine, Miss Glyn ; Petruehio, Mr. Barry Sullivan. After which, TAKE THAT GM. AWAY, in which Mr. elm,. Mathews will appeal. F Wowed by NATTER VERSUS CLATTER. Captain Patter, Mr. C. Mathews; To conclude with a Pallet Divertissement. These are matters that must be seriously looked to by the Government, anal in proportion to the vigilance exhibited during this very important crisis will be the confidence henceforward bestowed on the PALMERSTON Administration. THEATRE ROYAL, In.YMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, Wlll be performed THE BUSY BODY. Characters by - Messrs. Howe, Chippenda•e, Rogers, W. Farren, and Buckstone ; Misses Reynolds and E. Cha, , lin. Atter which, the Spanish Dancers. Followed by THE LITTLE TREASURE. After which, a BALLET, by the Spanish Dancers. To c , neiu.le with A DAU4IIITER TO MARRY. The secrecy and rapidity with which commu nications may be effected by the agency of the electric telegraph will probably have suggested to the reader the possibility of an exchange of dread ful disasters between the authorities of far dis tant localities before the inhabitants generally, of any of them are aware of their occurrence. The secrecy of our diplomatic system, and the facilities at the command of Foreign Secretaries are pro ductive now and then of a similar result, but attended by far different consequences. Thus, it may happen, in fact it has recently been the case, that the Governments of England and the United States were on the verge of a declaration of War between the two countries before the people of either know anything of the matter. Under such circumstances, it is a cause of congratulation that there is an amount of good sense and prudence available in the two countries sufficient to control their respective Governments before it is too late. Turning to the American side of the Atlantic in connection with the recent diplomatic fracas, we are happy to perceive that the merchants of New York have exhibited themselves in a very favour able light. Having learned that the real object of the augmentation of the British West India squadron was "to protect British commerce against Russian privateers," said to be fitting out at American ports, they have taken decided steps in the matter. Naturally jealous of the honour and good faith of their fellow citizens, they have instituted an inquiry into the circumstances connected with the equipment of the barque Maury. That the result of that inquiry should be favourable to the owners need occasion little surprise, however decide may be the conviction here of their criminality. The amor patrie has degenerated nowhere to a more morbid excess than in the United States, and what may appear to us to be a strong presumption against the owners was likely enough to b 3 esti mated by the Cimmittee as susceptible of a satin factory explanation. Thus the resolution, " That the character of the owners had been needlessly assailed, owing to the want of proper inquiry on the part of the British diplomatic agents," may be accounted for, without arriving at the conclusion that it is warranted by the facts. TfIEXTIZF., OXFOAD-SritEET. Under the Management of Sir. CEIAILLES KEAW. THIS EVENING Will be performed DON'T JIIDGE BY APPE TRANCES. After which, the comely of EVERY ONE HAS HIS F tULT. Characters by Mrs E. Kean, Messrs F. Matthews, Harley, C oper, Lacy, Ryder, and Fisher; and Mrs Daly, Misses Heath, Murray, and K. Terry. To conclude with THE MULETEER OF TOLEDO. THEATRE ROYAL A.DELPHT. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Will be performed JANE r P TI3F: Characters by Messrs. B Webster, P. Bedford, Selby, Bland, Moreland, Garden, C. J. Sm'th, ant Keeley ; Madame Celeste, Miss Mary Keeley, Followed by VALENTINE AND ORSON. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. TIII3 EVENING, Will be performed STILL WATERS DEEP. Followed by .£5 REWARD. To conclude with CATCHING A MER NIAID. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. J. 11. Andenon, Is, N)rfol!c-street, Strand. LAST FEW DAYS. Increased Attractions, and success in equal ratio ' THIS, AND EVERY EVENING, at Eight o'clock, Will be presented, with entirely New ant Ma;nifteent .ippo!ft'- meets, MAGIC and MYSTERY, in twelve acts, arran z .;ed in two parts, by Professor Anderson. After which, the startlinc illustrations of Spirit-Itappin;. li.t I.F AN-11OUR WITII 'LITE SPIRIT:A, being the most surprisn; an I nteresting series of experiments over given within the walls of any theatre. Revival, in an improved form, of the aitounding novelty will ,h tartled London 10 years ago, the GREXT GUN TRICK Prices of admission:—Private 83,C1%, H. Ils. f3l. all U. Is. ; p.t.,118, 43.; Dress P.. - mes, 35.; Upper noxe;. 23.; Pit, 13.; Gallery, 6d. llalf-price. Box-olTI.:o open from It to 5 daily. Grand Morning' Performance on Saturday' Next at Tr() o'Cloek. Doors open at Half-past One. ASTLETS Levine and Mana:er, Mr. Wm. Cooke. Immense success of Rockwood ! This spirited and exciting Hippodrome (with Turoin's Ride to York) embraces the principal events of Ainsworth's Rooltwood. THIS EVENIN( 4 , TURPIN'S RIDE to YORK; or, the Heir of Rookwo3l. Hat:- breadth escapes of Turpin. Ter,:fic leap over a flve•bsrred gate by the mare Black " Bess," trained by Mr. William Cooke. List Week of 11(11e. Clementine Soullier in the SCENES of the CIRCLE. Mr. J H. Cooke's FLIGHT of the BRIDGE, &c To conclude with a number of A.musin; Entertainments. Gigantic preparations are making for the Grand Christmas Panto mime, written by Mr. Nelsen Lee. , tot-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Sir. W. C00k,,, HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TF.I6 DAY—Morn. 40 rain. aft. 2—Evening 11 min. aft. 3 To-Ifoßßow—Morn. 32 min.aft. 3—Evening 51 min. aft 3 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, Dec.ll. THERMOHETER, IN THE SHADE. 4() -highest since noon yesterday. 35 -lowest this morning and during the night. 36 -this day at noon. The good feeling manifested in the institution of the inquiry renders it a matter of obligation on our part to remark that the character of the owners does not at least appear to have been wantonly assailed. Surely there was a strong prima facie case deducible from the affidavits which led to the seizure of the vessel, so strong as almost to convert suspicion into certainty. Two of the New York police deposed that the Maury was " built, rigged, and equipped for warlike pur poses, and had not the construction of a vessel for the merchant service," specifying its cargo as con sisting of " war cannon, cannon balls, and small arms," and its equipment and construction as em bracing six cannon on the upper deck, and ten between decks, all mounted with portholes for the guns. To this evidence of warlike purpose was added the deposition of a respectable witness, Mr. CHARLES EDWARDS, a counsellor-at-law, also residing at New York, to the effect that, to the best of his belief, the vessel had been thus constructed and equipped by the Russian Government, in, order to be used against the vessels and subjects of Great Britain. It is quite possible that our consul may have acted with less prudence than was desirable, and thus have fairly exposed himself to the charge of not having made adequate inquiry ; still the cir cumstances were so suspicious, and the filibuster ing an imus had shown itself sufficiently rampant of late years to extenuate largely his error, if errorit was, though not to justifyhis procedure. One thine. is clearly made out, and that is the neces men o f ability, c h aracter, and sity for selectin, , discretion to fill the consular office, seeing what dire results may follow a Statescon suolafr America.blunder, more T he especially in the United o differences bi ra e r t e w , een however, tlae t wwoe countries arising s b i n e lieve, All that we shall add to these remarks, in the way of a speedy and satisfactorytheoenreefloursn therefore, is the expression of our deep satisfaction with haile t i li b e r ofolf lowing resolution of the New York c Commerce, which is worthy its well recognised cha racter, viz., "That the merchants will u phold the Government in the full maintenance of neutrality of the laws of the country, and they acknowledge and adopt, and have always regarded the acts of the United States for preserving its neutrality as Veding in honour and conscience, as well as in law, and that they denounce those who violate them as disturbers of the peace of the world, to be held in universal abhorrence ! BAROMETER, 30.03. Warr, S.W.—Light, with dull weather. Heavy fog in the morning. . LONDON, TUESD VY, DECEMBER 11, 1855. It is neither our wish nor our intention to can sure the Commanders of the Allied Forces by land or sea for any of the shortcomings which we, in common with the peoples of France and England, must greatly deplore. Whenever the opportunity has been afforded they have nobly discharged their duties, fully maintaining the characters of their respective countries, arid defeating the Rus sians in every action and place in which the op posing troops had been brought into contact. But although we thus render justice to the Generals and Admirals who have been frequently most unfairly attacked, we cannot refrain from adverting to the deplorable inactivity, or "false strategy," that has characterised our movements since the glorious Bth of September. There have been frequent demonstrations, but no decided action ;. -no e have been contented with taking Kinbourn as a hint that they should fortify Nicolaieff and Kher son, so as to be fully prepared for any mot which we may decide on when the retirement of " General Frost" may render such operations possible. We have earnestly directed their atten tion to Kaffa, and Arabat, t 0 p erekop and the si va sh, as points to which attention should be especially directed , and where, great effects might in vain ! N o thi ng has been be produced ! But done, and the enemy will therefore b e enabled to avail themselves of the extraordinary opportuni tics for bringing copious supplies, both of men and food, of the "personnel" and " materiel" of war, through the portals which we have so unac countably left open for their advantage. We must consequently " fight our battles o'er again.'' We do not doubt the result, or that it will be PONTOON MORTAR RAFT.—The experiment at inShoe already been accomplished. But we fear " the ne• construction of th emor concussiona t ft are not stiff enough to gotiations." We dread the effect that may lie resist the heavy produced during theposed, a correspondent in a o which they must be ex cworhkatahavin shavings, enclosed coming " palaver," when withcontemporary suggests that he tubes should be filled Russia may still take credit to herself for rmources in tanned netting, similar meshes. are A u b g sed d by our f 'Which would not have been in existence if the fishermen, only with smaller Allies had followed up cork might be procured from the corkcuttersun Abundance h e their a t dvantages to the present is thrown away or burnt as refuse. which s ie wa a legitimate result. the tubes would be much . stiffer, and in case of injury have been The great evil seems to be that we either from shot or touching the ground, their buoyancy and efficiency would be pree:ved. JENNY LIND. " The Creation" at Exeter Hall, Yesterday evening brought glorious Jenny Lind back, once more, to the Londoners. It was a night, consequently, of immense expectation— Exeter Hall being the scene of the entertainment, and Haydn's immortal oratorio of " The Creation" the chef d'ceuvres, selected for performance. As an inevitable result from which extraordinary ac cumulation of attractions, a considerable multi tude, assembled together, prepared, as it proved, to greet the great songstress with all their wonted enthusiasm, and curious, no doubt, to discover whether that enthusiasm might still be as fully as ever justified. Several years have now elapsed since the Swedish Nightingale sang last in our me tropolis. Since then she has made the tour of the United States, amidst the ringing plaudits of Uncle Sam and the ringing dollars of Cousin Jonathan. Occasionally, too, in the interval, the northern cantatrice has been heard of, here and there, as performing miracles, scarcely less wonder ful than " creating a soul under the ribs of death," by exciting something like genuine ardour among the most habitually phlegmatic audiences of the European Continent. Mademoiselle Jenny Lind returns to us again —after the lapse of half-a dozen years—transformed into Madame Otto Goldschmidt. She is still, however, to us, in vested though she has been, in the interim, with the double dignity of wife and mother, the same charming Jenny Lind as ever—the Jenny Lind of the old days when she first learned to "witch the world" with her manifold graces of voice, of look, manner, the very Sylph of tine Lyric Drama, of the most exquisite interpreter of the love liest melodies of Rossini, Bellini, Mozart, Weber, Spohr, Cherubini, Mendelssohn, the arch heroine of " Lucia," of "Norma," of "La Sonnam bula," of "La Figlia Del Reggimento." The assemblage last evening was of course im mense, the hall being crowded by eight o'clock punctually. Shortly after which time Madame Jenny Goldschmidt-Lind (as the Swedish Night ingale must now be designated) was led on to the platform by M. Benedict, the gifted conductor of the entertainment. Her reception was, as it should have been, something extraordinary both in its warmth and in its prolongation, several dis tinct rounds of applause following the eagerly looked-for moment of her appearance. It was observable that the great popular favourite was somewhat thinner, somewhat more serious, some what less animated. It may be regarded, how ever, as rather more noteworthy than any such modifications in her tournure, in her bearing, or in the general expression of her well-remembered countenance, that her matchless voice was, in all essential respects, as delicious as ever, as fresh, as mellow, as flexible, altogether as incomparable. The first note of the angelic air of Gabriel— " The marvellous work beholds amaz'd The glorious hierarchy of Heaven"— proved beyond all further question that Jenny Lind's voice had, in the interval of these last few years, been in no perceptible way deteriorated. The old charm was again audible, was again re cognised, was again welcomed by popular accla mations. Still more apparent, however, became the spells wielded by that wonderful organ when, after the sonorous recitative "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass," the tones of the archangel break forth in the celestial carol " With ♦erdure clad the fields appear Delightful to the ravished sense"— when passages of incomparable melody trilled as bewitchingly as of yore from the lips of the great songstress, leading her as surprisingly as ever through all the mazes of that brilliant and dazzling display of vocal agility—up, through the memor able chromatic scale from G to her favourite B flat, the famous note upon which she always loved to dwell with a power so full, so exquisite, so sustained ! Wonderful though Jenny Lind's soprano was in Parts I. and 11. of " The Creation" as the Voice of Gabriel, it was yet more so, if possible, in Part 111. as that of Eve. If she was astonishing (as she was) in her delivery— after the thrilling recitative " And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life and fowl that tnay Ay above the earth in the open firmament"—of the memor able air— "On mighty pens the eagle wings her lofty way Through air sublime—" if, moreover, she was most dulcet in that after verse of the same mellifluous strain— " His welcome bids to morn the merry lark, And cooing calls the tender dove his mate—" she was absolute perfection in— " Ye purling fountains tune His praise, And wave your tops ye pines— as also in the marvellously beautiful Duet with Adam-- " Graceful consort, at thy side Softly fly the golden hours ! " Again and again the close of each solo was greeted with an outburst of applause amounting to the ardour of an encore, but in no instance was the incomparable artiste persuaded into a repeti tion. Everybody appeared to be enraptured. Not one individual out of the many hundreds pre sent last evening evinced even a momentary dis appointment. The Swedish Nightingale was re warded from first to last by plaudits that amounted to a veritable ovation. Her popularity is to-day what it was seven long years ago— her matchless voice being still, as it was then, in its full perfection, fresh, beautiful, unimpaired. Happily for those who were not fortunate enough to be present last night during the performance of Haydn's " Creation," by an orchestra presided over by the skilled baton of n Benedict, and by a chorus five or six hundred strong, collected together from the various musical societies of the metropolis, with Mr. Lawler for the bass solos and Mr. Lockey for the tenor solos, and our glo rious Jenny Lind, now Madame Otto Goldschmidt, as the Eve and Gabriel of the Oratorio—happily, we say, for those who were not present last even ing in Exeter Hall while Jenny Lind was the soprano of " The Creation," arrangements have already been made for the re-appearance of the Swedish Nightingale on Monday next in the glo• rious " Elijah" of Felix Mendelssohn. This-- thanks to Mr. Mitchell's able raananagement A management which constitutes him, as of old, one of the foremost among the benefac tors of the London multitude. Rumour talks of Madame Goldschmidt Lind hav ing entered into yet further engagements. There are whispers, for example, about her in tended progress through the provinces of the United Kingdom—and airy hints even of her pos sible return to the long-deserted boards of her Majesty's Theatre, under the revived direction, may be, of Lumley—the once puissant and long and deservedly successful. These, however, are at the best but rumours—rumours still requiring confirmation in every particular. However, thanks to the skilful and enterprising management of Mr. Mitchell --Jenny Lind (for as such simply we still loveto call her, without re gar d t o th e matronly dignity ogcfroanGncodelrdt and al of Madame, or the guttu ra l surname sachinmEil sufficientdxte)thera..shaap. y actually been secured as th e attraction esterda o y f e th ve e n M in o g lv nd7 a for alluring the Lo e n n cl t e e a rt e a r i s the n nten dight t se.] Yesterday t foretaste of t hes se'nnighte will afford the public the yet further felicity of their continuation. Let us hope that (speaking figuratively) still for some time longer on these over-the-w a y, " naug h t b fa u v t o favoured A t l e o r n r d e n a y t v E e e n f i n p g o s p , ular applause] may be heard in the Hall" and " naught but The Nightingale's Song" in the Strand. THE LATE LORD MELVILLE'S STATUE.—W understand that a difficulty has arisen with reference to the site on which it was proposed to erect the statue of the lateVig Vis count Melville, now in process of execution byMr. Steel]. The sanction of the Board of Works had, we believe, been given to the appropriation for a site of a portion of the vacant area to the west of St. Giles', and in front of the County Buildings, and preparations were actually be. gun for the erection of the statue, by making the fleece'. sary excavations to receive the pedestal. The sanction of the Board has, however, been withdrawn, and the preparations have consequently been suspended in the meantime. There is every probability of the county gentlemen seeking to ascertain in a legal way the right of the Board of Works over the area in question.— Courant. TILE BAL MASQUE AT DRURY-LANE TBEATRE. To-morrow evening Drury-lane Theatre will present a brilliant scene. For some time past Mr. Smith has been making arrangements to give a grand Bal Masque at a reasonable price of admission, and to-morrow even ing is fixed for the purpose. To render the bal attrac tive no expense has been spared, and the whole of the arrangements are on a scale of magnificence never before attempted. The stage and pit will be converted into a superb salon de danse 400 feet in length, embel lished and decorated with illuminated bowers, and thousands of variegated lamps ; and a number of masters of the ceremonies have been appointed, in order that the votaries of Terpsichore may not be interfered with. The greatest care has been taken to prevent the incon venience arising from overcrowding the salon ; and, from all accounts, a delightful evening's amusement may bo anticipated. HAYMARKET THEATRE. The renowned Spanish dancer Perea Nena with Manuel Perez and their gay company of Coryphees are now fulfilling their final engagement, as next week they leave for the continent. Great preparations are being ntaie for the Haytnarket Pantomime, which, according to the speciality of this house, will be founded on a popular nursery story. Mr. William Callcott, whose scenery was so much admired last year in Little 80-Peep, is employed on the present production. SURREY THEATRE. Mr. Sam. Cowell, of comic fame, takes a benefit at this theatre on Thursday evening next, the performances being of a varied and highly attractive character. First of all comes Rob Roy, in which Mr. Leigh Murray and Miss Fanny Hughes fill the principal parts; and then a Concert, with the renowned Bruton, Tom Mathews, Herr Jongmans, and the beneficiare himself, who, arnotg other comic conga, will favour the audience with those unequalled ditties, " Billy Barlow" and " The Eat catcher's Daughter." Later in the evening Tom Barry will make his first appearance since his return from Aus tralia as Doctor O'Toole in The Irish. Tutor, and Mr. Flexmore and Madlle. Auriol will give one of their most brilliant dances. The whole is to conclude with that best of English farces, Box and Cox, those worthies being respectively enacted by Harry Widdicome and Sam Cowell. The bill of fare is excellently calculated to " draw," for a better entertainment has seldom, if ever, been put forth at the Surrey side of the water. The benefit takes places under the immediate patronage of the Earl of Strathmore, Sir George Wombwell, and Mr. Villebois. ARRIVAL OF THE COURT AT OSBORNE, PORTSHOUTTI, Mondhy.—This morning, at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock, a special Royal train, in charge of Mr. Ralph Dutton, deputy-chairman, Mr. L. Crombie, se cretary, Mr. Joseph Beattie, superintendent engineer and director of locomotives of the South-Western Rail way, and other officers, arrived in the Clarence-yard, Gosport, conveying the Queen, Prince Consort, all the Royal family, and the Court, en route to Osborne. Her Majesty was received on alighting from the train by Admiral Sir Thou. Cochrane, K.C.8., Major-General Breton, Rear-Admiral Martin, Captain Superintendent Dacres, C. 8., &c., Colonel Ford, R.E., Aide-decamp to the Queen ; Colonel Graham, R.M., Aide-de-camp to the Queen ; Deputy-Assistant Nelson, Deputy-Assist ant Quartermast er -G enera l Wright (Major), Captain Breton, Town Major ; Captain Hawkes, Aide-de-camp to General Breton ; Flag Lieutenants the Hon. A. Hay and T. Brandreth ; Master-Attendant Davies, R.N. ; Mr. Storekeeper Pinhorn, R.N. ; Mr. R. "Willoughby Stevens, London and South-Western Railway, and a guard of honour of the Royal Marine Light Infantry (among whom were several picked men just home from the trenches), commanded by Lieut.-Col. Hunt, Captain Palmer, Adjutant Holland, and Lieutenants St. John and Allnutt. The usual salutes were fired by the fleet as the Royal train entered the precincts of the port. The Court embarked in the Fairy steam-yacht, com manded by the Hon. Joseph Denman, under the cus tomary cheers and loyal demonstrations, and left the port for Cowes, at a quarter past 12, arriving at Osborne at 15 minutes past 1, where it will sojourn . until next Saturday week. FIRE AT ALDERSHOTT CAMP. CAMP, ALDERSHOTT, Dec. 10.—A few minutes after 9 o'clock last evening a fire broke out in the officers' quarters of the Antrim Rifles, being letter H in the south camp. It first occurred in the hut occupied by the lieu tenant-colonel, and originated by overheating the stove. The alarm was immediately given by the sentinel close by, but so rapidly did the flames extend that the officer occupying the next room succeeded in saving but a small portion of his property. A large number of men, many of them but half dressed, were speedily collected, but, no officer with authority having appeared, they were unable to render the least assistance. Blankets were, however, placed on the top of the next block of huts, and the sol diers, anxious to be of use, began to destroy such por tions of the building as were still accongible. No water could be procured. Within 30 yards were some wells, but there being neither ropes nor pumps great difficulty was experienced in obtaining it, and the quantity was too small to be of practical use. In a few minutes the whole block was a mass of flames, and neither fire-engine nor iron screens for isolating the block had yet arrived. The greatest confusion existed, and it soon became evi dent that it would be impossible to preserve the next block of huts ; indeed, the tar and pitch with which all the huts are covered soon became ignited, and the flames then spread with great rapidity. The engines now ar rived, but were of little use as the supply of water was so extremely limited. Men were marched to the pumps in great numbers, and only added to the confusion; while the screens were delayed for a long time on the road for want of help, and when they arrived one at leapt was found to be broken and of no use. The men behaved with great zeal and activity; several officers also did their bist, but the want of organisation was most gross, and is the subject of universal reprobation. For half art hour at least no effort whatever was made to ch ec k th e fi re ; on the contrary, the fact of pulling down the doors and win dows increased its violence by admitti ng a i r to every part. As it was a calm night, one block of huts might have been saved had the most ordinary means been available, but without water, engines, screens, and autho rity this was quite impossible. The stoves used in the camp, althou g h i n many re spects well adapted for their purpose, are not safe. They are placed in the corner of each hut, a b out h alf a yard or so from the highly resinous wood of which the walls are constructed. It is impossible to prevent them getting red hot occasionally, and the camp is thus in perpetual danger. The stoves are also placed in iron tray s , muc h too small, and quite useless for saving heated coals from falling on the boarded floor. There is sc arce l y a h ut whore the floor is not burnt more or less f rom thi s cause, which would be easily obviated by a few bricks. The chimney also is very small and soon gets foul. It would be very desirable that an order should be issued for the flues to be cleaned once a week . ; but, ab ove a ll , t h ere should be issued some definitive instru c ti ons f or the guidance of officers and men in case of fire occurring in their quarters. The engines and iron screens provided by the Government are of the best kind, but th ey oug h t to be in perfect order and readiness, and a sufficient body of men should be in constant attendance to move them at once to the point required. The supply of water is now good and tolerably abundant, yet it continually hap pens that it has to be brought a considerable distance, and but few know with certainty where it can be ob tained. Unless more perfect measures be adopted for checking fire upon its first appearance, it. is not impro bable that a large portion of the camp will be sacrificed should a fire occur when the wild is high. [ADVERTISEMENT]. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SOW. Eastern Counties Railway, Secretary's Office, Bishopsgate Station, London, Dec. 10. SIR, —I am directed to state for the information of the public that the executive officers of this company con tinue to carry on the working management of the rail way with the same efficiency as heretofore, and that the board being still legally constituted, some of its members attend daily for the direction of the company's affairs. The arrangements for the safe and regular conveyance of passengers and goods remain unchanged.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, J. B. OWEN, Secretary, GUN ACCIDENT.—A sad accident has just occurred on the grounds of Gloddaeth, the Hon. T. E. M. Lloyd Mostyn, M.P. The lion. member and a party of friends were out shooting, when the keeper, Mr. T. Davies, of Pentre Issa, was unfortunately shot by Mr. Mostyn as he was in the act of st o opi ng . The shots chiefly lodged in his arms and thighs. Although suffering severely, it is hoped that he is g o i ng on we ll. O n ly about a fortnight ago Mr. Mostyn was himself shot in the woods of Glod dea;;h, and wounded slightly, as were one or two gentle men with him, when in pa:,uit of a gang of poachers, to the number of 20, w h o ma d e th e i r e,cape after bagging a large number of pheasants, and firing repeatedly upon the party in pursuit. DEATH OF SIR GEORGE BALLINGALL, M. D.--The death of Sir G. Ballingall, M.D., professor of military surgery in Edinburh University, took place on Tuesday evening last, at his ciuhtry residence, Altamont, near Blairgowrie. He had filled the chair of Military Surgery in the University for 32 years, his appointment dating from 1823 ; and, besides discharging the duties of that office, his able services were long given to the Royal In firmary as consulting surgeon. The deceased professor also held the dignity of surgeon to the Queen and to the Duchess of Kent. He was a Fellow of the Royal Col lege of Surgeons, Edinburgh; a Fellow of the Royal So ciety; Hon. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland ; and a member of the medical societies of Paris, Vienna, St. Peter s b urg , an d B er li n. Si r G eor ge began his career in the army, and was for some years surgeon to the 33d Foot. The profession is indebted to him for several valuable contributions to medical literature, the chief of which are :—" Observations on the Diseases of the Europ ean T roops i n India ;" " Observat i ons on th e Site and Const ruc ti on of Military Hospitals; " an d "Out lines of Military Surgery." Owing to advancing years Sir George had, for some time past, contemplated retir ing from the active duties of his professorship. LATEST NE WS. EMANCIPATION OF THE RUSSIAN SERFS. The ems of Cracow, of the Ist, says :—"lt is reported hero that the contemplated reforms in the kingdom of Poland have not taken place, in consequence of the Prince of Prussia having ex acted, as a condition of the neutrality of Prassia, the maintenance of the status quo in Poland. "It is the positive intention of the Russian Go- vernment to effect the immediate emancipation of the serfs of the whole empire. The Emperor personally is favourable to the measure, and the land-owning aristocracy, who have been sounded, offer no opposition. " These nobles appear to fear that risings of the peasants, such as have taken place in the south, might be more dangerous in other province:,.." MARSEILLES, DEo. 10. The Bashi-Bazouks in English pay have com mitted excesses at Adrianople. Others have revolted on board the Tancred, but were arrested by the brig-of-war L' Olivier at Smyrna. They resisted, and caused some deaths; many were wounded. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 10. The Duke of Wellington, 131, Captain of the Fleet the Hon. F. T. Pelham, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral the lion. Richard Saunders Dundas, C. 8., Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic fleet, arrived at Spithead this evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, four days from Kiel. OUR ARMY IN THE CRIMEA. CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, Nov. 24. Scarcely had the ink dried on the paper of my last letter before the weather, which I had been praising for its extraordinary fineness, suddenly changed, and with a rapidity of transition only known in the Crimea, as far as I am aware, rushed from summer to winter. A strong wind, which varied in direction several times before it settled down to a southerly gale, commenced on the after noon of Saturday. Rain fell during the night ; to day it is falling in torrents, with every appearance of holding out; the verge of the plateau is con cealed by the dense veil of drifting clouds ; the ground is converted into the thick compost so fami liar to us last winter ; the camp is covered with peels of water, and the gullies and drains are filled with the rushing waters. But this rain is welcome to us, for the scarcity of water, which I ventured to predict many months ago and which sanitary ccmmissioners and great philosophers proved to their own satisfaction to be impossible, had become a serious inconvenience for some time past. If one was so fortunate as t o ge t water to wash h i s face, CAMP OF THE ALLIED ARMIES ON the proceeding wa s " a moc k ery, a d e l us i on, an d a THE TCHERNAYA, Nov. 26. scare," inasmuch as the medium through which it . For the last two days, especially on Sunday, we was performed was a thick pea-soup coloured fluid, had for the first time something approaching to churned up from the bottom of the wells. The last year's November weather—strong south- Fourth Division suffered considerably from this westerly winds, low heavy banks of clouds, sharp cause, and no one who has not actually endured the snowers of rain, and real Crimean mud. But this discomforts consequent upon the announcement of avant-garde of winter, so formidable last year, has "no water to-day" can form a notion of the trouble, ceased to inspire fear and apprehension, especially delay, and difficulty of supplying the want. The as regards this part of our position. All the army is getting into better shape and form every Highlanders are in huts, so are the Piedmontese day. Excellent war m c l o thi ng h as b een i ssue d t o and the French at Baidar. The French on the the men, and so uniform is it in style that no one Fedukhine height; are indeed still under canvas, can distinguish officers from men, unless by the dif- but not under the testes d'abri. They have got a ferenco of style and bearing. Our allies are as to- great number of Turkish double terns, which, if nished at the profuseness of our military wardrobe, properly screwed, are water-tight, while the poles, which not only contains a waterproof suit, Lel net made of ono solid piece of wood, resist any wind, and all, but fur coats and caps, cowhide boots, as was proved last year in the gale of the 14th of tweed coats lined with cat or rabbit skin, &c., and, November. Even these tents, however, are gra for the officers, suits of sealskin, sold at moderate d ua ll y di sappear i ng. As i t i s, more than three prices. The French o n ly rece i ve from their Govern- fourths of the allied armies on this side are in com ment an ordinary cloth capoto, and must buy any fortable shelter, whence they can brave storm and waterproofs or furs which they may find necessary. rain. There is no want of provisions either. The The sheepskin coats of last year are not in much Highland Division has not, in this respect, been favour ; they hav e a ver y hi g h o d our , an d are behind the other English divisions on the plateau found 3be extremely sought after as residences by of Sebastopol, as every one can see from far when objectionable insects of predatory habits. The huts he reaches the church of Kamara—now a Piedmon blown down by the explosion are nearly rebuilt, tose magazine. Pyramids of biscuit sacks, rows of but the extent of canvas-covering which is still barrels with salt meat an. , l rum, piles of corn and visible over the camp w o uld ast on i s h those who hay, are striking evidences of the foresight and imagine all the troops are within wooden walls. diligence exhibited in collecting ample stores for However, a good double tent well pitched and dug the winter, especially as the brushwood abounding , out is more comfortable for one man than most huts all around dispenses with the transport of that im would be, as it is extremely difficult to stanch the portant item—fuel. The Sardiniansaud the French, latter, and the former is always sure to be air and not including those at Bolder, have not thought it watertight. For a s ergean t' s guar d, h owever, a necessary to b form large stores ; they send to their tent is very uncomfortable, because there can b e d epots at B a l ak l ava and Kakiloi. no fireplace in it w hi c h would not expose some of In the Sardinian army the soldiers have always the inmates to be roasted, and stoves are found to two days rations in hand, and every battalion has smoke with wood and coal, and to b e dangerous t o provide for the transport from the depots, winch, with charcoal. The cookhouses offer guarantees while active operations aro going on, are always for the health of the men, and with the blessing of supposed to be at the distance of halfa day's march Heaven the army will not suffer any serious detri- Their system of transport differs, in this way, en ment from the severities of this climate, although tirely from the French. To the French army the it would be too much to expect entire freedom from " train . ' forms a distinct body, not permanently some kind of privations on the part of an army can- attached to any division or regiment. The whole toned on the open ground du r i ng a Crimean w i n t er. care of providing for the army rests on it, without MONDAY.—The weather, ever capricious in the any participation of the regiments or divisions. Crimea, is varying and mutable beyond descrip- Only when a body of men is detached from the tion. The morning was obscure, but about three bulk of the army, at too great a distance to be o'clock the wind h a uled round from west north- daily provided for from the depots, a certain pro west to north, and brought with its clearer atmos- portion of the train is attached to it. phere and intense cold. But the cold for the time In the Sardinian army, on the contrary, each being got rid of the mud—that horrible, sticky, battalion has a certain number of carts and baggage abominable, clinging, slippery combination of animals permanently attached to it. This regula earth and water which drives cleanly tent-owners tion is of course only calculated . for warfare in tl e mad, which defies Crimean scrapers, and makes civilised countries of Europe, with numbers of vil pedestrians walk on impromptu stilts, which dis- lager and good roads, where no tents are required ; appear and collect at every half-dozen step s . But five two-wheeled carts form the complement of each to-morrow's sun, if there be any, will deprive us battalion ; one of these is destined to carry the of this cold comfort, and will make men think officers' luggage, and the rest are for the troops. twice before they ride out to Kamiesh or Bala- The Piedmontese officers, having no bat horses, as klava. The roads are not yet settled down, al- in the English army, are allowed one chest of 3 though a good deal of traffic has been driven upon feet by 2to carry their things in ;24 of these chests, them by the mud, and the country is as unfavour- the number of officers in a battalion, fit exactly in able to the progression of man or boast as it usually one of these covered carts, drawn by two mules, is about this time of year in these parts of the besides the three days' rations for the officers, world. The roads, indeed, even now, when we I which the soldier has to carry with him. In con have no trenches, no prospects of attack, no want sequence of the peculiar circumstances which must of labour—the roads aro even now objects of much prevail in a campaign iu such an inhospitable interest to us all. The whistling locomotives on country as the Crimea, this ratio has been augment the railway—the Alliance, the Victory—which re- ed, and two carts are now allowed for the officers call to us the familiar sounds of Wolverhampton or of each battalion. But notwithstanding this aug of Didcot, and make us beli eve f or t h e moment we mentat i on, and the fact that the Corps del Trono aro in a civilised country, are not to be taken as has to transport the officers' baggage, you will he material guarantees for the possession of material surprised to hear that the Piedmontese army out comforts in the coming winter. Trains may be here require only 1,200 baggage animals. snowed up in the Crimea as in England, arid, de- There is no doubt that the Emperor Alexander spite the efforts of Land Transport and Commis- has visited the Crimea. He arrived on the Bth sariat, supplies of certain articles cannot be accu- inst. in Simpheropol. The reviews of the troops mulated in any large proportion to the wants of the cannot have given him much satisfaction, for, if army at the divisional depots. What do you think the accounts of deserters may be trusted, they are of 319 sheep being killed in one day for a single by no means in a lsrilliant state. The regiments, division of the army, and of that division requiring they say, are so reduced that most of them have 100 more sheep to be sacrificed before they had been melted down to two battalions, and, if the " their pound of flesh" and their full allowance of orders which have been given to send 20 men from meat rations ? But these roads are very good and each company iuto the interior to instruct recruits give no just ground for apprehension of failure, are carried out, some regiments will altogether dis• although it is the habit of some persons either to appear. The 33d infantry Regiment, Borodynsky, sneer at them as being too Romanesque in gran- belonging to the 17th division—a regiment which deur and solidity, or to prophesy their dissolution took part in the battles of Alma and Inkerrnan— in the winter. Mr. Beatty, with small means at has already had an order to that effect. It will be his command, has placed the railway on au excellent incorporated or rather divided among the other basis, as far as wood, iron, and stone can secure it. regiments of the division, with the promise that it The soundness of his judgment in laying ou t th e sh o uld be reformed in times of peace. The artillery line is confi rme d by Mr. Doynes' adoption of a seems not to be much better off than the infantry, course very nearly p ara ll e l t o it throughout for the especially that part of it which is in front on the grand main road between Balaklava and the camp, plateau. One deserter says that the horses were in a tribute which has not been however unattended such wretched condition when the Emperor re by evils, inasmuch as the parallelism has given rise viewed them that he reprimanded the colonel pub to fears that the proximity of the one may interfere licly. The consequence was that the batteries, with the safe working of the other. Mr. Beatty which were reviewed the next day on some other goes home immediately, if, indeed, he has not point, had the best artillery horses brought up for already gone, and I much regret that he has been the occasion from the batteries in the rear, where obliged to retire from a post in which he rendered the horses were in better condition, having been services not only to the army collectively, but to less exposed and fatigued. many individuals in it, who will always retain a The field artillery, which is on the plateaux in deep sense of his kindness and friendly assistance front of the Russian position, is, it is stat e d, on ly in times of d omes ti c difficulty about huts and waiting for the first rains, whenl all danger of an transports. Already the mud is beginning to tell attack from the allies is supposed to cease, in order upon our animals. I saw no less than seven dead to retire from their exposed position into the in mules and horses in ono little gully crossing the terior, where they can shelter their horses. If this line of tran s p or t y es t er d a y. Melancholy quadru- be true, it would imply that the whole time while peds, with sore backs and rib-developed flanks, we were putting off expeditions and parading every whom nobody cares to own, begin even thus early morning in order to be ready to receive the Rus to wander disconsolately about the camp and to sians these latter made similar preparations. There crawl to the lee of sheltering walls. The Russians, is another circumstance which strengthens this SUP having made goo d ro ads between their camps, and position not a little, and this is—that the Russian having establi s h e d th em s e l v es co m f or t a bl y on the inhabitants of Simpheropol were, some time after other side of the Tchernaya, seem resolved to give the fall of Sebastopol, invited to abandon the place us an uneasy time of it in Sebastopol, and never and to retire into the interior of Russia—a thing ceased firing to-day from one end of the Bay to which many of them actually did in the expecta the other. I ventured to express an opinion al- tion of an attack from the allied armies. It would most immediately after the capture of the south be a curious, and, perhaps, not altogether unprofit side, that the enemy's preparations indicated the able question, to inquire which party was more e intention of wintering where they lay. We have justified in its apprehensions • at any been all too prone, not only in England, but out Russians reaped the benefit dour ludicrous, but here, to calculate on advantages to be gained by rather expensive fight with shadows. rate, t the privations to which Lie enemy would be ex-- The official announcement from St. Petersburg, posed, or by imaginary wants to which they were which we saw in one of your last numbers that the likely in our opinion to he subjected. But the Rus- Russian army in the Crimea is provided with pro sian is well supplied with all munitions of war and Visions for eight months is, if not literally, at least with the means of subsistence. The whole trength 'to a certain extent, borne out by information 6 P. m. The north batteries have been playing on the south side with little intermission all day. This forenoon they opened a cannonade on the French near the little Redan, from the 12-gun battery at Inkerman, and dispersed some working parties, but did them no harm. They have kept up a fire ever since at the rate of two guns a minute on the towns and on the docks ; and as they direct their fire on the houses, it would seem as though they wished to knock over those buildings which would afford cover to the allies. Nevertheless, the working parties continue the process of demolition. TUESDAY. Last night the cold increased, and a hard frost set in. The thermometer fell to 18 deg. this morn ing, and may have been lower (luting the night. The water in bottles in my hut froze, oil thickened, and wino became muddy, opaque, and filled with spicula of ice. It is now snowing, and the camp is of dazzling whiteness. There would be everypros pect of the snow continuing if we could judge from the appearance of the atmosphere. The enemy have renewed their fire this morning. E. would seem as if they had received orders not to let the allies remain in the town. Our batteries do not reply, and beyond the annoyance to which our men are exposed, it does not much signify whether the Russians waste or save their powder and shot, as they do no real damage. of the empire has been devoted to the supplies of the Crimean army, and the Russian General no doubt calculates on the concentration of such a force in the Crimea next spring as will enable him to meet the allies in every point which they may assail, knowing that Perekop is unassailable by a large force, owing to the want of water, and to its geographical position, and that no army can ope rate in the rear of his position in consequence of the nature of the country. It is not because St. Vladimir was converted in the Crimea that Prince Gortschakoff holds Mac kenzie's Farm and the plateau of the Belbek and Tchernaya. But he knows that until he is dis lodged the allies are paralysed, and that they can establish no safe basis of operations against Nico laieff or Cherson while he is at Simpheropol, for it would be contrary to common sense to leave such an army in their rear and flank. He hopes, there fore, either to be able to hold the Crimea next campaign, or to be able to make such dispositions in the event of a great defeat as will insure the safe retreat of his army by Perekop and Tchongar, and perhaps by a third road, of the existence of which across the Sivash there are very strong indications. The electric telegraph has kindly aided him in es tablishing himself all the more securely, for the ru mour of a Russian attack, to which it gave official weight prevented the occupation of Kaffa and the destruction of Arabat this autumn ; and who can say how the country behind Theodosia (Kaffa) will be seamed with batteries should we try a descent next spring ? Talk of the harm done by newspaper correspondents compared with that which has been done by the electric telegraph! Thefirst expedition to Kertch, the despatch of the Highlanders to Eu patoria, and the expedition to the Kaffa were all prevented by our electric batteries at London and Paris, and it is very questionable if they did not do the allies more harm than the Russian guns. The French were, indeed, adverse to the KaffA movement, and Admiral Bruat was, it appears, more especially opposed to it • but there is no rea son to doubt that it would have been successful, and the occupation of that place and the destruc tion of Arabat, would have most materially com plicated the difficulty of the Russian position, and contributed to the strength of the allies. gleaned from the spot. There are said to be con siderable stores of provisions heaped up in Simphe ropol and Duvenkoi, where the Russian reserves are. The Russians seem rather anxious about the Tchongar road, and they have thrown up batteries near the bridge, as well as on both the peninsulas which it connects. The Tchongar and not the Perekop road is said to be their main channel of communication with the interior, which is not at all surprising, as this latter is more exposed, owing to the contiguity of the allied forces at Eupatoria. As regards the disposition of the Russian troops in the Crimea, we hear that there are still 11 divi !ions of infantry remaining in the south, two hav ing gone north. Immediately after the fall of Se bastopol, when the French went down towards the Upper Belbek, a great number of troops were sent that way, so that from the pass of Aitodor down to Albared and Kutshuk Sioren there were seven di visions, the 6th, 7th, Bth, 9th, 10th, 13th reserve; and the 15th, the 16th, and 17th were on the Mac kenzie heights, the 4th and sth at Inktxman, the 12th in the Sevcrnaia, and the 11th on the Bulb, k. When the demonstrations from Eupatoria forced the Russians to show front in that direction the 4th and sth were sent there ; the 11th came down from the Belbek to take their place ; and the Bth was sent to replace the latter. Since the fall of Sebastopol not a man of regular troops is said to have arrived in the Crimea—only about 26,000 militia. These latter were of those enrolled in April last. Probably, in order to work on the religious feelings of the new conscripts, they were all enrolled during the holy week-23 in 1,000. They were of all ages, from 17 to 60—boys and old men—no distinction was ma''e ; whether they were married or not, they were taken according to the will of their owners, who naturally sent those who were of least use to them. The new conscripts were drilled for a month, and then sent off. They are dressed like the other Russian soldiers, minus the buttons, which have been replaced by three clasps for the sake of economy ; they get the same pay as regular soldiers, and are divided into druschines or battalions of 1,000 men. Each druschino is attached to some division, and takes alternately the outpost duty ; besides this, the militia are considered as the " bandy Bills" of the regular troops, do all the whitewashing, &c. They form the laughing-stock of the regular army, and are bullied by the inferior officers, although they say the generals are kind to them. Nov. 27. For a change we had a► frost last night, and this morning a slow, regular snowfall. THE WAR IN ASIA. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 90.—A letter of the 23d from Trebizond says that the Russians were retiring before Omer Pasha, and had evacuated Sugdich and Usurghetti, and the writer infers that their in tention was to lead him on fur a certain distance, and then fall upon and beat him, but does not state his motives for the opinion. On the 13th inst. letters were received at Erzeroum, stating that Omer Pasha was in Kutais. Such important information needs to be confirmed, although it was said that Omer Pasha himself had sent the news, and Turks in high authority at Erzeroum affirmed it to be true. Great apprehensions con tinued to be entertained with respect to Kars. Here, in Constantinople, there are persons who discredit its danger, and maintain that it is by no means so straitened for provisions as has been represented. On the other hand, there is no reason to believe that any important quantity of provisions has been introduced into the place. A few sheep were said to have been got in after the defeat of the Russians, but those were a trifle, and would avert famine but for a very short time. I saw several weeks ago letters from an English officer at Kars, fixing the period at which the garrison could possibly hold out even on short commons. That period has now elapsed ; and, if means have been found to replenish stores, the nature of those means has not transpired. According to the last accounts Mouravieff maintained a rigorous blockade. The English officers at Erzeroum have done their very utmost to get Selim Pasha to make a move in ad vance, but Selim, who appears to be one of those fainéant generals too common in Turkey, demurs and stirs not. He promised to march on the 14th, but put it off until the 16th, and will then probably have postponed it until some later day. It was thought that he might at least venture a dash at the small Russian column at Dellibaba, a very short distance to the east of Erzeroum, and with out any extraordinary effort of valour give a good account of it. The Russians there are but 3,000 to 4,000 strong, with six small guns ; whereas Selim could march against them with 5,000 in fantry, 1,500 regular and 500 irregular cavalry, 24 guns, and 1,500 to 2,000 Bashi-Bazouks. Where such a disparity of force existed all that was want ing was the will to fight. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY EVENTNG. Russia has contracted a heavy loan with a house in Holland. The King of Sardinia, says the Courrier de Mar seille, who was to have returned to Piedmont by Lyons and Charobery, has changed his itinerary, and will come on to this city, and hence, most pro bably, will proceed to . Toulon. The Illustration says that the King of Sardinia has been invited to Vienna by the Emperor of Aus tria, and that it is hoped to extract from him some demonstration in favour of the ultramontane church party, and against the policy so happily followed by the Cavour-Azeglio Ministry. The funeral obsequies of Admiral Bruat will bo celebrated at the Invalides to-morrow (Tuesday), at 12 o'clock. The superior officers and others who attend will be in full uniform, with crape on the arm and sword hilt. The memb ‘r of the Rothschild family who has just expired at Frankfort, is Baron Anselme de Rothschild, the eldest of the brothers. He was 84 ye trs of age. - BOURSE — , Dec. 10.—The following are the last quotations : Cash• fr. e. End of Month. 4} per Cents 9l —f. -- o. :3 per Cents 6l 10 64 45 New Loan 65 Bank Shares — Roman Credit Mobilier 1255 Austrian Belgian Fives ...... .. 924 Spanish Threes 39f ''ielmontese B6 75 Home Debt RAILWAYS -708 CASH. I. c. C. Orleans Northern L yi.ns Wediterraneen 1255 Grand Central S FS Lyons Geneva 665 75 Teste 635 Cette RUSSIA. It is stated from Odessa, that Gen. Luders is about to establish his winter-quarters there, and that a large number of troops, who had left for Nicolaieff and Oschakoff, have returned. The Kreutz Zettung publishes the following 44 ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 29.—Since the snow has be en covered with a crust of ice, enormous trains of sleds, six miles long,' have entered the Crimea by Perekop and the spit of Arabat, loaded with provisions and articles for the use of the army." A - letter from Warsaw of the 4th, in the Danube of Vienna, says :—"Extraordinary activity is being displayed in effecting the new recruitment, 'and in arming and exercising the men, and it is certain that the forced truce of the winter will be very useful to the Russians. They are in particular en deavouring to form riflemen, and not only do they. obtain Minie rifles from Liege, but they are caus ing others to be made at Tula on the model of some taken from the French before Sebastopol. In each corps of Russian infantry, at present there is only one battalion exercised with the rifle—that is one man in 48—a pr o p or ti on f ar i n f er i or to t h at i n the armies of the Allied powers ; and it is on that ac count that the number of riflemen is being increased. Not only are the battalions of riflemen in Finland being raised to their full effective, but a rifle corps is being formed, and each government is required to raise one or two battalions, and to have them armed chiefly at the expense of the nobles." PRUSSIA. BERLIN, Dec. S.—The election of the various Presidents of the Hou-e of Deputies took place last Thursday, and verified all thet has been hitherto said of the overpowering majority of the memb ers of the Right. The President chosen, Count Eu lenburg, the first Vice-President, Herr von Arnim Heinrichsdorff, and the second Vice-President, Herr von Buchtemann, all unknown to fame and to Parliamentary life, belong, however, to the ultra- Conservative party. To Count S c h wer i n on l y 13 8 votes were given, while his ad versary received 187. The Right side has, howeuer, renounced the intention formerly entertained of disputing Count Schwerin's election, as is averred oil the cautiouscalculation that the same circumstance of defective formality at his election that would unseat him would also deprive of their seat two members of their own party who were elected at the same time with him for the same place, and under the same circumstances ; the re-election of the two Tory members in that circle not being looked on as so certain as the re-election of the Count. The House of Notables has elected for its Presi dent, by 113 out of 117 votes, Prince Pleas, who fulfilled this function last session (which was also the first of the new Upper House) with credit to himself. Not even as Vice-President could Count Rittberg, President of the First Cl lifer, before