The Sun. — London, England, 1856-12-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24, 1856. —The Public are informed that LETTS'S HE A TRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. on their receipts—viz., the professional men, 1857 orAtttE ,, eocKE-I-80 , 'I(S, I IcUS, I:EPFhS, , and SATURDAY, On FRIDAY, Dec. 26, Y, clorks, &c., he will still have to satisfy the de from 6d. to 14s. each , an d ( *a a- Kura gra 1 , , ; ny to commence at Seven with the come d y of wand of those who have advanced a portion of bookseller in the kingdom , an ; Lettb , 5en, 11 , 4 (2 0 ,, 5, a o , „I v -- e. THE HONEYMOON. that stock on credit, and is, therefore, scarcely In consequence of Mr. Mnrdoeh's succe ss he is reingaged for a few nights and will appear as the Duke Aranza. TH M E t BA 7 3 h E i s e h IN a new TH E c o a v i o c O C D h , e t , h e e nt c it ru le e d l in better position ! Uncle. The scenery of the opening st or y p ainted by M r W. The Times, in its money article of this day, ri o s r tra H as arleq Pan ui t n o an mi d na Callcott. The music composed andn rran g edby Edward Fitz- tells us that the " pressure on the Bank is ex william. The pantomime produced und er the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Milano; Columbine, Fanny cessive ; the amount of bullion withdrawn to Wright (her first appearance in that character) ; Pantaloon, Ireland, coupled with the largeness of the revenue Mr. Mackay' and Clown, Mr. Driver (nis t . appearance collections, having continued to exercise a power iana cce hat characterthe p aPantomime th a t m t i h m i this t 1 1 1 t r ll b e e ) . e T v h e e n fi o t n • s t T ll hur or: d i a n y g , pLrfo7 l : and continue every Thursday throughout the holidays : com- ful influence." This is the time when the Income mencing at 2, concluding at 1. Tax collectors are peculiarly active. Indeed, it 11 HEAT RE ROY A L , ADEL PH I. would seem as if the y desired to a gg ravate the Great Attraction for the Holidays. unpopularity of the impost by the stringency of BOXING NIGHT (Friday, Dec. 26), and Saturday, Dec. 27, for two nights only, its enforcement. And yet the Times itself would PAUL PRY: By Mr. Wright. persuade the people to submit to a gross fraud, After which will be prod uced anew and original union of modern burlesqUe and old English pantomime (as originated by enduring the iniquitous burden for another year, because, forsooth, the Chancellor o f th e thing, with entirely n ew scener y , dresses, transformations, at this theatre), by Pro fessor Words p inner, Member of Every &c., called Exchequer may like to postpone the trouble and annoyance of anticipating the inevitable period cf attempting to render the assessment more just and equitable. Should they acquiesce in that unwise and injudicious policy they will deserve all that may be inflicted on them, and which they will inevitably have to sustain. We tell them not only to " agitate" strenuously and indefatigably, but to put on the steam to the utmost point. Let every person insist on " freedom to industry,"—that property should bear its just liabilities, recollect ing that property has its duties as well as its rights. By so doing they will insure the success of the movement, and obtain that for which they can scarcely hope on the present occasion a merry Christmas and happy New Year in 1857-8, with the oheering prospect of many returns thereof during a protracted period. T HEATRE ROYAL, DRIIRI LAN;:. — Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting M•tnager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. GREAT ATTRACTION for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. First Night of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the most magnificent ever produced on the English stage. The First Morning Performance of the Pantomime will take place on WEDNESDAY, Dec. :,1, at 2 o'clock. The great Comedian of the age, Mr. Charles Mathews, and a powerful Dramatic Company. On BOXING-NIGHT, Dec. 26, and following Evenings, her Majesty's Servants will perform AGGRAVATING SAM, In which Mr. Charles Mathews and the talented Dramatic Company will appear. After which will be produced an entirely new and original symbolical, hyperbolical, parabolical, and extra-physiog nomical grotesque, statuesque, and picturesque Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, which for some time past has employed the unrivalled resources of this extensive establishment, and which will be called or entitled as it is entitled to be called, SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW ; 0 r,Harlequiu Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs. The scenery entirely new, painted by and under the direc tion of Mr. William Beverley and numerous assistants. The machinery by J. Tucker and assistants. The properties, de corations, tricks, changes, and transformations by Messrs. Needham, Glindon, &p. The masks, models, and physiog nomical devices designed and executed by. the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The overture and music composed and arranged lty Herr Anschuez. The choregraphic arrangements under the personal supervision of M. Petit. The comic scenes con structed by and under the direction of Harry Bolano. The peculiar grotesque opening invented and written by E. L. Blanchard, author of " Harlequin and the Seven Ages of Man," " Jack and "Humming Top," " Hudibras," &c., and the whole arranged and produced under the direction of Mr. Robert Roxby. Ye anciente and truthful legend on ye which ye pantomime its story is founded : " See, saw, Margaret Paw, " Sold her bed, and laid upen straw." MSS. of Nursery Rhymes in British Museum. Region of Reverses, in the Island of Ups an d Downs. " Yea, the Great Globe itself." " Here we go up, up, up, • " Here we go down, down, down ; " Here we go backwards and forwards, " And here we go round and round." Juvenile Chorus of the earliest p eriod, supposed to belong to the One. Up, Mr. Topham ; Down, Mr. Low; Opera. box, Kid Glove, Tiger and Brougham, and Porte-monnaie (attendants upon Up), Signor Lorgnette. Herr Tightfitt, Master Sau , ebox, and Monsieur Chiuque ; Hard Up, Dupli cate, Distraint, and Rags (attendants upon Down), Mr. Friz hard, Mr. Pop4ll, Mr. Quodham, and Mr. Patchwell. An nual appearance of Holyday in her Emblematic Car. Holyday (the Genius of the Season), Miss Marian Stanley ; Sport and Pastime (her attendants), Misses Lovelaugh and Lightheart ; Dame Necessity (who is on this occasion made a virtue of by particular desire), Mrs. Selby. How Invention, the Daughter of Necessity, is called upon to assist the development of the story, while Holyday invites both Up and Down to enjoy MOTHER SHIFTON ; or, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (h, la Watteau), Madame Celeste and Miss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland ; Scaramouch, Mr. Le Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, &c. OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. all) On FRIDAY, Dec. 26, will be produced a new grand Christmas Pantomime, called. ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Genii of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Saline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co lumbine, Miss C. Adams. Preceded by THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Saturday, the Corsican Brothers and the Pantomime. On Monday, Dec. 20, will be presented A :Midsummer Night's Dream and the Pantomime. A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. LA_ Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. A. NEW GRAND EQUESTRIAN PANTOMIME FOR BOXING NIGHT. THIS EVENING, Shakspeare's Tragedy of MACBETH, with Mr. W. Cooke's Equestrian Illustrations. Macbeth, Mr. James Holloway. After which, the inimitable Equestrian SCENES in the CIRC! , E. To conclude with sntertainments of Novelty and Variety. Doors open at half-past six ; commenee at seven o'clock. ux•ofce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. V. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. It may not be out of place to say a word or two on the threatened revival of the slave trade. The subject is not one we have selected for its cheeriness, but a few remarks on it seem to us alike apposite and necessary. All seasons are good for the discharge of an exigent duty, and no time, we submit, can be more appropriate than the present to deprecate the revival of a traffic so revolting to humanity, so charged with the direst horrors, and invoking so piercingly the DIVINE vengeance, as the trade in question. Next to tbe' enforced contemplation of such a revival far on to nineteen centuries after the appearance of that Gracious Benevolence whose advent we are about to celebrate, the fact that those by whom it is menaced are of our own stock, and possessed of like means of self-cultiva tion with ourselves, is the most painful feature of the case with which we have to deal. Yes ! It is no tribe of a nation of savages —it is no portion of a worn-out, tyrannically governed European race, but citizens of the United States—members of one of the greatest of free countries, Englishmen by descent, from whom the threat emanates. With the curse of slavery upon them, wasting their pith and marrow, and curtailing hourly the extent of their resources, the Southern planters, instead of endea vouring to get rid of the curse by emancipation, recklessly seek to avert their fall by an aggrava tion of their guilt. Not content with holding their black brother in cruel bondage, and breeding up his offspring, like cattle, for the home market, they long for newer ♦ictims, and threaten to let loose the ferocious slave-trader, with his blood hounds, on the inoffensive sons and daughters of Africa, in order to lay on the abject misery of the unhappy captives the foundations of future pros perity. The impiousness of the thought speaks conclusively as to the wisdom of the desire. The past history of the Southern States and contem poraneous annals are not without warning against the attempt. Do the Southern slaveholders not know what it would involve ? Are they entirely ignorant of the peril to which the attempt would expose them ? If the Presidential election, more recent events, and England's perseverance in putting down the traffic, have not opened, or do not open, their eyes to a right understanding neither would they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. CANTERBURY HALL. Westminster-road. — OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of elections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Glees, Duets, &c., viz.: —Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunel, and Miss Summers ; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghman., R. Grover, T. Ettino. T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, and P. Corrie ; Masters Austin, Ben nett, and Corn ; Mr. Sam Cowell and E. Mackney. Piano forte, J. Harroway, B.A. ; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun. ; ;lirector, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre z.sely. Suppers, &c.. until twelve o'clock. In addition to the usual Vocal Entertainment, the celebrated SPANISH MINSTRELS will appear in costume at Nine and Eleven o'clock Every Evening, and sing some of their favourit selec tions. themselves. Holyday's Home in the Green Bower of Mistletoe and Winter Garden of the Fairies.—Mistletoe (the Fairy Queen), Miss E. Wadham ; Fairy Spirits of the Kisses that have been given under the Mistletoe, by upwards of 100 ladies of the Corps de Ballet. Grand Ballet —Miss Rosina Wright, Mdlles. J. and E. Osmont, and the Co rypbees. The Golden Gates leading to the Palace of Hugg,amugga. —Herald (with a Proclamation), Mr. Hornogold ; Guards, Messrs. Stiffueck, Headsup, Eyesright, Shoulderarms. Stand-at ease, and March well ; Tailor, Mr. Broadcloth ; Cobbler, Mr. Waxend; Blatk smith, Mr. Anvil ; the Princess Margery Daw (afterwards Columbine), Madame Boleno; Shilly and Shelly (her Maids of Honour), Misses Ditbery and Dothery. How Margery Daw has no no , ion of work herself, and the contempt she shows towards those who do work. Interior of the Palace of King Huggamugga. King Huggamugga (Sovereign of the Land of Sixes and Sevens), Mr Daavking; Hurly- Burly (Lord Chancellor), Mr. Bigwig; Niminy-Piminy (the Lord Cham berlain), Mr. Noodledom ; Higgledy-Piggledy (Goldstick in Waiting), Mr. Muddle ; other Members of the Court, Messrs. Bow, Scrape, Cringe, Crouch, Tageag, Merrywag, Perriwig, and Hatband; Court Milliner, Madame Crinoline ; Drawing Master, Professor Crayon ; Governess, Miss Frump ; Music Master, Signor Hurdigurdi ; Maid in Waiting, Miss Sweet temper ; Chef de Cuisine, Mr. Cook Prince Popinjay (of the Land of Prettistory), Mr. Finefeather ; his Retinue, Messrs. Glare, Dazzle, Gleam, Glitter, and Cutashine. How the Princess is taught a wholesome lesson by Necessity, and of the change that takes place in consequence. Cottage of Necessity, with a Prospect of Hard Work in the Distance. The Enchanted Woi kbox—The Sampler and the Exemplar, and the pretty piece of work that Margery Daw makes of it. Inhabitants of the Workbox : —Row of Pins, Messrs. Sharp, Bent, Crooked, Pinaday, Groatayear, &c. ; Regiment of Needles (ready drilled), Messrs. Largeeye, Sraalleve, Longsix, Splitup, Snapoff, &c. ; Thimble, Master Tom Thumb ; Worsted, Mr. Bawlaway ; Bodkin, Mr. Pierce ; Tape Mea sure, Mr. Inchbald; Hook and Eye, Messrs. How and Some bodyelse ; Shirt Buttons, Mr. Earlypnrly; Scissors; Mr. Shearsteel. How Margery Daw makes an important discovery and the audience also, and how, led. by Necessity, she is com pelled to alter her opinions and change her position. The Mine of Labour, leading to the Mine of Wealth,—Labour (the Parent of Health, Wealth, and Happiness), Mr. Strong'i'th'arm. What Margery Daw goes to see, what she saw, and the re ward that Holyday bestows Grand Scenic and Mechanical Effects, exhibiting (in process of construction) the Fairy Fac tory of Fancy, completed with the assistance of Labour sad Imagination. Brilliant Tableau. The Transformation ,:—Two Harlequins, Herr Deulin and Signor Veroni ; two Sprites, the Brothers Elliott ; two Pantaloons, Mr. Barnes and Mr. G. Tanner; two Clowns, Messrs. Harry Boleno and Flexmore ; the Gent, Mr. Halforcl ; two Columbines, Madame Boleno and Miss Honey. The Ups and Downs of the Harlequinade. showing the Ins and Outs and Turns About of the Pantomime Rally ; Toy Warehouse, Butcher's and Baker's Shop (Bolenos, Deulin, Tanner, and Halford).— A pink of polite ness—Clown very toyish—Getting a nutcracker, which turns out a nobby toy—First and last toys for gambling—Marbles versus dice—Despatches, loaded, and off they go—Harlequin takes a private box—Clown takes Chatterton's situation as boxkeeper —Kite-flying—A game of Cs;icket, by which some of the players get bowled out, awl afterwards stumped, which turns out a long stop—The uses and abuses of the crin oline—A Jack in the box—A box of regular British toys and a basket of French bread (bricks)—Aldershott a size smaller —Grand review of infantry—A military ball—Going in for a buster—Coming out with a roll—Clown make a peel to baker's feelings—List, oh, List—Squaring a round of beef— Clown takes a steak and gets a chop in return—Pantaloon tries his hand at a game and loses by it —Cut and come again —Clown takes a butcher's shop, which Harlequin makes too hot to hold him. Tailor's Shop and Perfumery Warehouse (Ve roni, Barnes, and Honey). A gentleman in search of a tailor— A suit that is quite the ticket—Tire Oude wrapper—Railway wrappers--Transfer depot--Washing machine—extraordinary— Something that won't wash—Cleaned out—Scent in and sent out- Foreign versus English toothpowder Hungary water—A Frangipani bouquet—Wonderful effects of the Pistachio nut powder —A case of real distress—Pantaloon in a fix—Fur nished Apartments for Single Men (Bolenos, Deulin, and Tanner).—Clown and Pantaloon in high life—A domestic re volution—Turning the tables—To bed, to bed—A drop too much Clown now begins to reflect —The looking-glass follows his example—Two heals better than one—Clown takes a turn on the sofa, which also takes a turn on its own account— Multiplication altercation, which ends with a regular row in the house, Judkia's Gas-regulating Machine and General Patent Office and Stationer's Shop (Veroni, Barnes, and Honey.)—Clown, being iu Fleet-street, goes the pace rather fast—The language of the eyes (I-talian of course) which everybody understands—Bath post versus London post—Re gulators Wanted : railway regulators, army regulators, gas regulators, smoke regulators—Sewing, cutting, washing, pressing, and ironing done by a turn—Clown makes a shift which makes Pantaloon a little shirty—A. box of com • on scents —A fresh supply of blacks from America A Dred-ful scale ensues. Mechi's Model Farm (Bolonos, Deulin, and Tanner )—Harvest-home —A rakish dance by rustic lads and lasses —The milky way—Harlequin makes a pump of himself —A strong smell of game—A farm-yard visitor—Clown finds the pig a very great bore—Pantaloon finds the dog gets greatly attached to him —Prize Poultry—Cochin China and couch in England —Novel hatching—The old mail—Full in side--Clown off by the Express and Pantaloon by the K eket— M a ppi n ' s C u tl ery an d Shilli ng R azor Warehouse, ng William-street, City (the whole of the double 4'T:l.ll:Any will appe ar i n thi s scene )—Pantaloon proposes ‘—" r- lte a bus—P resen t an d future —W e i g ht o f p u bli c o pi n i on fool c hange for the bett er —Th e p eo ple's own bus—When smaa eet s , fool then comes the tug of fun—Collision, crash, ment— nm , and dash—G aro tt e p reven ti ve —M ou stache move a. • case forr l)mr of sh arp bl a d es —Cl owns prove th emse l ve s a wentf:—Thsentditteref —A Ho cut direct lloway stopped Forewar by ned, Holloway forearmed 's t- Public nuis ances of— 1856-oh, my Crinoline—A high wind, a regular blow Downs in Holidttal) and glorious termination to Ups and h The reduced g e P airY Home. as follows, varying throughout the Circle of Boxeuse to suits, eveis!s es Ed, :—Galleries, 6d. and is. ; Second d ; Pit, 2s, ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxe s 10s. 6d., 1 . le., 1/ , 3 3. • Stalls, ss. ; Private Boxes, . Ils. and 2/. 2s. Appealing to their selfishness, and, for the moment, overlooking an important aspect of the question, we ask—how should they, even if suc cessful in reviving the infamous traffic, be gainers by so glaring an outrage on the feelings of nearly all Christendom ? The slave is mainly prized by them for what he produces, and the value of that produce chiefly depends on having a steady remu nerative European market. Where, in a few years, would that market be if the slave trade was opened ? Indomitable England !—are they such fools as to believe she cannot learn to do with out their tobacco and cotton ; and that having set her heart on the abolition of the slave trade, she wont take this, the most likely, way to make the trade unprofitable ? Has she not colonies she can turn to good account—is there not a countless population, industrious and free, to till the cotton bearing districts of India ? Cannot she, in one or more of her many possessions, find space for the growth of all the tobacco and other Southern produce she consumes ? And what is there to bar her from supplying the wants of the remainder of Europe in course of time ? Will the Southern planter turn to the Northern States for succour—the North that can't help him if it would, and in its indignation would not if it could ? Where then would be the luxuries without which life to him is undesirable ? Gone—never to return. It is a miserable life he would then discover to live for bare bread. But the revival of the slave trade means war with England, as well as the loss of a remunerative market. Are they prepared for a war, and what it may entail? The gallant blood that used to mantle so bravely their cheeks as they stalked among their human cattle, does it not pale as the horror of their dreams comes to their recollection ? A servile war, a black jacquerie—the blunt in struments of their good pleasure, hacking and hewing remorselessly the living branches of their family tree, the slave population, mad with oppression, and credulous or reckless as to the future plying the devouring brand, and flitting like demons to their murderous task, amid the crash of burning timbers and the shrieks of wretched women and children. Who does not know that the thought of that terrible retribution fills them at the present time with unutterable dread—that the bravado of discovered plots and effective measures of self defeece but ill conceals the coward heart that beats so tremulously in their bosoms? The North, if inclined to help them, would send its succour ton late, supposing the North to have acceded to the war, and not to have its hands full with its own defence. The very loss of a remunerative market the continuance of a war would occasion might lead to an outbreak of the slave population, quite irrespective of the provocation the hope of liberty from such hostilities must give rise to. Turn which way the Southern slavehold ers may, the only way of escape from im mediate personal peril and utter ruin is being as quiet as possible, and accustoming them selves to the contemplation of and preparing for a gradual emancipation to be complete at distant period. The more reckless they are ROYAL L - y --- 6 ------------ -----,, -.. U NI Lessee,2,jecer. 1 ? - . - Dillon. TiIEATRF 4 . On BOXING NIGHT, entirely new and original cor a bi aa , e ! 26 , will be produced an tomime, entitled ' , ion of burlesque and pan- CONRAD AND li Ebot . ue opening by n7 W at the Bottom of or, Harlequin Corsair and the Littl e F a - "; the Sea; The burlesq xr.d.uced at Her founded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, a Brough, Esq., Majesty's Theatre. The harlequivade q v % L. Tool raft. The new and magnificent scenery " I ngs• in gene. painted by Mr. F. Fenton. Characters in the opening : Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Nv onigar 4: Birbarto (his lieutenant) Mr. .l . Seyde Pasha Mr. Barrett e • Sing Smart'. Yussiff Mr. S. Calhaer s ' , Medora ,Gulnar Zuliem Submarina,...(her first appearuce) Miss Jessie Ryder Serena . MisS Marie Wilton Clowns Mr. Torn Matthews and Mr. H. Marshall • Pantaloon Harlequin ... . Columbine • ..Miss Clara Morgan On Boxing Night, and on Saturday, Dec. 27, the historical play of WILLIAM TELL will commence tile performances. William Tell, Mr. C. Dillon. A Morning Performance of the Pantomime every Sat : aril:ly, at 2 o'clock, commen cing on Sa turday, Dec. 27. The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the superintendence of Mr. Chatterton, jun. Carriages c o n v e yi ng p ar ti es t o th e Private Boxes to se t down at the State entrance is Burleigh-strect. STRAND THEATRE.—Muiager, Mr, T. PAYne.--THIS EVENING bo performed THE OLD CO ‘IMODORE. To'conclud e with the Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE ; or, Harlequin Humbug and the Shams of Lon don. Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines, Miss E. iaeobs and Mdle. Collison. Commence at Seven. Stalls, ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, ls. ; Gallery, 6d, UTAL OLYMPIC. THEATRE. L*4Ree, Mr. Altr..(l Wigan. On FRIDAY, Dec. 24, DELICATE GROUND. G. Vining and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling, A new Fairy Extravaganza, by J. he Esq., called YOUNI-: AND HANME. M essrs. F. Robson, Rogers, Leslie, G .Cooke Danve DS- -O Ifisses Swanborotr-h, Thirlwall, St. Catse (her firza, Cas%;eten, romlty, 3 / 4 skell, and Mrs. Ylelfort. After which. CRINOLINE. Messrs, Comwene at hal-past Seven. AIGFIi WA.TER AT LONDON BRID(it, Tan DA r—Moni. 0 min. aft. o—Plvenitm 56 mire. aft. 11 Tl-114 MIRO - ^ 7 orn . 1 8 min. aft.l2—Evening 41 mir,. at' 12 VIE WE A. CHER—StioT OFFICE, DECEMBER 21 THERMOMETER, IN THE SHALOM. 42 —highest since noon yesterday. 41—lowest this morning 9.nd during the night . 44 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 37—a fall of an inch and a half since Monday evening. W.S W. to S.W.—Light, with fine, sunshiny weather at noon. It rained in the night. (%4.1 Ll t1:11 11 _ 9 L WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 186 e A merry Christmas and happy New Year to each and every one—to friend; in particular—and to the community at large ! Cordially and sincerely do we wish it ; and earnestly shall we strive, to the best of our ability, to add to the happiness of those most deserving of sympathy and assistance. Good wishes alone will not suffice. All have heard of the place-- " not to be mentioned to ears polite "—which is said to be " paved with good intentions." Every one must labour honestly and energetically in his vocation to add to the general felicity, and to promote that great end and aim of true philanthropists—" the greatest good to the greatest number." Many a heart will, however, shrink, , notwithstanding the social enjoy ments and cheering festivities of the season, at the demands that must be provided for. The happiness of the day will be marred by the presence of " the skeleton," that, we are told, has a place in every household. The dread of approaching bills that must be liquidated, the claims that cannot be satisfactorily encoun tered ! Conceal it as he may, that grievance will rankle in the mind of every pater familias. Ho sees the wants of his wife and children, the old gowns, broken boots, and worn-out jackets, aro stern monitors to repel the temporary exuberance of his spirits, even while partaking of that which the nursery legend too truly informs him, " comes but once a year." An unbidden tear " trem bles" in his eye, and its bitterness is aggravated by a deep sense of wrong when he feels that but for the anticipated visit of the tax-collector, who requires so heavy a contribution from his hardly earned "income,' he might provide the humble comforts so greatly required by his family, and still keep out of debt ; nay, more, set wide a small sum for a rainy day, when illness or any unexpected calamity shall visit his home, and press heavily on his scanty resolirces. We speak of those who are gaining their daily bread by their daily labour, not of the possessors of accumulated and realised property, who have something on which to fall back in the dark hour of adversity. They care comparatively little for the impost, for it may be altogether evaded if that property is not invested in a tangible taxable form ; or, if there has been a stoppage in transit a, a deduction from the gross sum which they re ceive in the shape of rents or dividends. They are subjected to no inquisitorial and prying inves tigations as to their means of livelihood—no im pertinent sneers from officials seeking to entrap them into heedless admission, as a peg whereon to hang a surcharge. They are notobliged to devote valuable time to stand the iusolent cross-examination or vexatious badgering of Commissioners. They are not exposed to the unhallowed visitations of these prepared to leave a man in possession, and thus add costs to the burden, if the paymaster chance to be from home, and who scornfully re pudiate the suggestion even of a single hour's delay until the money can be sent for. All these serious aggravations are wanting, and, as we have frequently explained, a fairly apportioned " Pro- Poly Tax" is at the same time the most equitable and the most tolerable that can be enforced. Bat it is altogether different with an " Income T ax." There, to say nothing of the gross and Palpable inequality of charging at the same fate that Whi c h i s really available income—the whole of which 'nay be expended without apprehension, and that wi i ; et ; is both capital and income must provide not Only for p resent wants, b ut f or future a c ontingencies man is charged not merely on bis whole Wo rldly wealth, but he is s 9 chargedwealth h as b een expen d e d. He s fort unate if gi ven th e amount o f i indeed, after e ed, that the tax remains, and that he is not obliged to become a borrower, in order to avert the dreaded un tl t te of de h m i: n h d al t f- h y e ea v r i a ctim distress. At theotelmacmoof has not by him in come. The fees of the professional man, the wages of the clerk, the profits of the small trades man are absorbed in the daily maintenance of their respective familie 4. They can't live on a i r, and though the trade,man s t o ck maY mo altogether exhausted, like the purses of those livin g entirelybe the morn speedy and certain their disastrous fate. The disgust they have given the North is even isow an element of insecurity. The slave knows of it, and witk his facile imagination brings the bright future rearer than reason seems to warrant.' Every v.olent ebullition, every clamour against slave distffection, every bit of extra braggadocio will be a:counted as additional evidence of the oppressors case having become hopeless, and of the light of liberty being about to dawn on the slave. There will be no revival of the slave trade unless the slaveowners' cup of iniquity be full and retribution is at his heels. None but men judicially blind can regard such an attempt but with ddavour and apprehension. The advocates of the Game Laws will hear with pleasure that two fresh victims have been sepa rated from their families during the approaching holidays, for doing what English lords and squires think they are fully entitled to do—as they like with their own. In the present instances the cruelty and impolicy of the proceedings are greatly aggravated, not only by the time selected for the persecution, but also by the fact that the parties sent to the House of Correction for 14 days' hard labour are respect able and industrious men, of unimpeachable cha racter, and one of them the widowed father of an orphan family. In the eyes of the game pre servers the example (l) may be the more valuable, but we greatly fear that its effect on the labouring community may be very different from that which they anticipate. The latter are not as yet re duced to the condition of the coloured population of the Southern States of America. They are not yet compelled to conceal their feelings. The curses will be loud as well as deep at the gross injustice practised. For be it remembered these men were no com mon poachers. They did not seek to destroy game on other people's lands, where it might be said the wild animals derived a subsistence that conferred a qualified property on its owners. Far from it. They only " trespassed," if such an anomalous phrase can be justified, on their own soil, or at least that in which they had rights of commonage. The Judges and Jury—for it ap pears the same parties exercised both functions— ware not even unanimous. One of their number, who, it appears, had received a legal education, earnestly protested against the decision of his col- eagues on the bench—we shall not add "of justice." It is really too bad that this system of irritation and annoyance should be so wantonly maintained. Regarding the game law even in its most favour able phase, it is a badge of servitude and oppres sion—a legacy bequeathed by the Norman in vaders, which has sunk deeply into the hearts of the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of the 19th century. But when we see respectable, well-disposed men subjected to the disgrace and demoralisation of a gaol for what they probably considered to be merely the assertion of their natural rights, the grievance is fearfully enhanced. The depth of feeling may be estimated from the fact that the victims refused the assistance freely proffered by the friends and neighbours who would gladly have contributed the amount of the paltry fine and heavy costs. They felt themselves to be game law martyrs, and they would cheerfully endure the penalty. We heartily commend the case to the consideration of Sir GEORGE GREY. He may restore the parties to their families, and grant them a Christmas at home, but we do so still more emphatically to the British Parliament. If they regard it in a proper spirit, JOHN HAGoN and FRANCIS DUSGATE will not have suffered in vain—a dark blot will be eradicated from the national statutes, and a fertile cause of crime and temptation to the rising generation, a great social nuisance permanently abated. The South-Eastern liacette regrets that the Dean of Canterbury, who was taken speechless a fortnight since, still remains in a very precarious condition. The Grand Duchess Constantine of Russia will, it is thought, prolong her stay at Hanover until the spring. Preparations are being ruade there for building a new palace for the royal family, two new barracks, and ether public edifices. The Grand Duke Michael of Russia, travelling under the name of Count Mikhailoff, passed through Berlin on the 18th with his suite on his way to Carlsruhe to visit the Princess of Badeo, to whom he is betrothed. The Marquis and Marchioness of Headfort have left Claridge's Hotel for Brighton. The Countess of Gainsborough and family have left Claridge's Hotel for Eaton Hall, Rutlandshire. Lord Staff.ird has arrived at his residence in Eaton place from hie seat, Costessy Hall, near Norwich. The Hon. C. C. Cavendish, M.P., and Lady Catherine Cavendish, have left Claridge's Hotel for Latimers, Bucks. The Hon. Mrg. Fitzroy hag arrived at the St. George's Hotel. — Sir Benjamin Hall has left town for Llanover, South Wales. Admiral Sir Charles Elliot bad an interview with Mr. Secretary Labouchere yesterday at the Colonial-office. Despatches for the Gover nors o f t h e Colonies on the west coast of Africa were sent yesterday from the Colo nial-office. Despatehes were received from the Governor of Malta. _ he pA . TheeximeniaceerinAlds COMMERCIAL oA i o e f last Dp uGbl GENERAL yeNe shareholdersEwa R r o Arp works i r s o d l n lasta Ll F Eobde yearAsi n , s 2 st 2 wh : ena s , CI A Ne 6 a 9 6 8c / e5:00, cis this7o6m .. f company to pay cff its debts has been settled, and a call of about 10s. will have, it is understood, to be made. CONSECRATION OF ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, OAKLEY SQUARE.—The first ceremonial of the consecration of a ckurch by the new Bishop of London took place yester dayf when the district church of St. Matthew, Oakley square, St. Pancras, was opened and solemnly con..e. crated in the presence of a large number of persons. THE NEw DEAN OF CARLISLE.-0a Monday evening Dean Close, on whom the degree of D.D. has just been conferred, gave a dinner in the . Fratry to the resident clergy connected with the cathedral. The very reverend gentleman occupied the chair ; the Rev. Precentor Livingston the vice-chair; and the Rev. Canon GiPl", Silas Saul, Esq., the Rev. Minor Canon Tireman, and Mr. Ford, the organist, were also present. The health of the dean having been proposed by Mr. Gipps, the very reverend gentleman returned thanks in a frank and friendly speech. He said he wished to become personally acquainted with the choir, and it occurred to him that a good dinner the first of wasnot the k a b ind, oa ofadm s ode fra effecting s co that nc o e b r j n e e c d t! it of he f n the hoped evening it w w as o s u p ld no entin t vboecathleexlaesrtiseTs.heTrheemdaiude dinner was pat. erio supplied by Mr. Gray, of the Coffee - house. -- Carlisle THE AMERICAN MAILS.--LIVERPOOL, Tuesday.—The United States mail steamship Ericsson, Captain Lowber, will sail from the Mersey to-morrow afternoon for New York, with the mails, passengers, and cargo. Letters must be posted before 2 p.m., with late fees until 3 p.m., and at the floating receiving house until 4 p.m. The Montreal Ocean Steam Navigation Company's strew steamer Nurth American, Captain Grange, is now in he river, and will sail to-morrow forenoon for Portland, state of Maine, with the Cansdian monthly maile, a fuli complement of passengers, and a considerable cargo of merchandise on freight. Her mails will close here at 7 a.m., with late fees until 8 a.m., and at the landing stage at 9 a.m. to-morrow. DISTILLATION FROM BEETROOT.--Some highly inte resting experiments were made a few days sinee at Mr. Dray's, near Farningham, in Kent, with a lately-invented distillery machine, after t . :e plan of Mons. Leplay, at Brett4e, near Lille, in France. The distillation was from beetroot, and intended to show that the alcohol produced from the white Seleran beetroot was not inferior to that derived from corn, and at a considerable less cost, and consequently much greater advantage to the agriculturist. We were informed that an acre of ordinary land should yiell 25 tons of white Seleran beetroot, and therefore will produce 493 gallons of proof spirits, whereas the best acre of barley ever grown will only produce 170 gallons of proof spirits. It therefore shows more in favour of the new plan, particularly as the corn might be rendered available for other purposes. It appears also that the beetroot, after being used for the purpose of distillation, is excellent food for cattle, and that only a small part of its nutritious qualities are destroyed by the process. The beetroot, after being properly washed, is passed through a root-cutting machine, and is then conveyed to the vat so undergo for a stated period the process of fermentati-m. After draiti ig the liquor the slices of beetroot remains to be preserved for the food of cattle. The operation of distilling was examined by three gentlemen sent by the Exciee-offic), all of whom expressed their f ntire approbation of the results. The alcohol produced 01 this occasion Was elevfn above pro Great praise is due to Mr. Dray for his perse verance ,n the cause of agricultural progress, and which appears likely to be a real boon to the landed interest of the country. Il OL T, NORFOLK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—As you were the first among the metropolitan press to comment on the osse of Loads and flagon, two labourers of this parish, convicted of trespassing on their own land, I beg to inform you that another conviction was obtained on Saturday last, the 20th inst., against two other men, viz , John flagon, a brother of one of the last victims, and Francis Dusgate, a respectable and industrious mechanic. Both of these men occupy houses having common rights. The men were ably defended by Mr. MiEnteer, a London barrister, and Mr. J. H. Tillett, solicitor, of Norwich, before Lieut.-Colonel Astley, W. H. Pember ton, and W. H. Cozens-Hardy, Esqs.--Mr. Hardy (who has received a legal education) protesting against the convict:on of the men. In the choice of these men for prosecution a refine ment of cruelty has been exercised; flagon being (like Loads in the former case) a widower, and the father •f a young family ; and Dusgate having very respectable connexions in the parish. It was doubtless imagined that by selecting such men the fine, which was merely nominal—one shilling and expenses—would be paid, and thus the trustees would obtain a victory. The men, however, have preferred to suffer, and are sent to the House of Correction for fourteen days' hard labour. When it is considered that the trustees themselves are not in accord as to their duties, and that it is only a majority of them who have consented to let this land away from the poor, and that, baying no beneficial ii terest in the estate, it is impossible they can have any rights in trust which are not in the possession of the common right-holders, it seems scandalous that the fest iogs of the inhabitants and the country generally should be outraged by these prosecutions. The odium of them has been, perhaps unjustly, thrown on the reotor of the pariah and Lord Hastings, the chairman of the commit ting magistrates, while doubtless the real culprit is a trustee of " the Lows," and a quondam overseer of a Jamaica slave estate. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A VOICE FOR THE POOR. ANGLO-GERMAN NOBILITY. The " Annuaire Historique ' 1 of the " Imperial Alma nac for 1857," published at Vienna, has the following list of British subjects who hold (relevent) of the ancient German or Holy Roman Empire : Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emanuel, Prince of Saxe Cobourg and Gotha, naturalised in Great Britain, 1840. William Basil Fielding, Earl of Denbigh, said to de- scend from a branch of the Imperial House of Hapsburg, a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; neither date nor patent extant. en ri Benedict Arundel], Baron Arundell, of Ward our, a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; date of patent, 1601. John, Count de la Feld, naturalised in Austria, de• scends from the ancient Counts of that name in Alsace ; his ancestor created a Count of the Holy Roman Em pire after the battle of Zentha ; date of patent, 1697. George Spencer, Duke of Marlborough ; his ancestor created a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, by the title of Prince of Mindelheiin, in Suabia, after the battle of Blenheim ; date of patent, 1708. Jerome, Count de Salis, naturalised in England, de scends from the ancient Counts of that name in the Gri sons ; his ancestor created a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; date of patent, 1748. Peter Leopold Louis Cowper, Earl Cowper; his an cestor created a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; date of patent, 1758. Francis Taaffe, Viscount Taaffe, in the kingdom of Ireland, naturalised in Austria, created a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; date of patent, 1784. Horace St. Paul, (Baronettus), a Count of the Holy Roman Empire ; date of patent, 1786. REGENT GALLERY QUADRANT.—Mr. Okey closed his " Paris" on Tuesday evening with the following Lrief address :—" Ladies and gentlemen,—This room is re quired by the St. James's Hall Company for building purpoies. During nearly 500 representations you have patiently and attentively listened to my attempt to de scribe our sister capital. Your kindness will never be forgotten by me, and I trust at no distant period to again appear before you. Ladies and gentlemen, I beg for the present. respectfully to take my leave." CoLoSSEIIM.—Last evening a conversazione was given by the directors of this institution, which is to be re opened on boxing-day, under the management of Dr. Bachhoffner. There was a numerous attendance. All the well-known attractions of the establishment have been thoroughly renovated, and the programme of the new regime includes; in addition, a series of concerts and popular lectures on scientific subjects. Of the former a specimen was given last night ; and if it may be taken as a fair sample of what is to follow there will be little difficulty in predicting the success of the enterprise. The selection was remarkably well chosen, and the pieces were performed in a manner that must be pronounced perfectly satisfactory. The singing of Miss Clara Mac kenzie and Miss Susanna Cole, and the solos of Messrs. Daubert and Swensden, the one upon the violoncello and the other on the flute, were all loudly and deservedly applauded. The same may be said of some excellent glee singing by the Orpheus Union. POLYTEcRNIO —The Christmas entertainments pro vided for the present season at this institution are liberal and varied. Every day of the week and every hour of the day will have its appropriate gratification at the Polytechnic. From "grave to gay, from lively to severe," from scenic illusion to scientific illustration, the visitor is conducted with unflagging interest. But at this mirth-making time of the year Mr. Pepperhas judiciously allowed.fun and fairy land to predominate over philo sophy and useful knowledge in his establishment, and but few of his young visitors will linger over a steam engine or a sewing-machine when they can behold the story of "Blue Beard" set forth, as it was to be seen by a private view last night, with such a profusion of illustrative dissolving views, and such a viva voce com mentary. The little people will be delighted by the exhibition of an ingenious juvenile mechanical model theatre, in which the drama of "One o'clock ; or, the Knight and the Wood Demon," will be represented with appropriate scenery and music. The well-known ghost scene in the " Corsican Brothers" is also to be shown. Add to these pastimes a gratuitous distribution of orna ments from a gigantic Christmas tree, besides lectures on " Optical Illusions and Fireworks," and it will be allowed that the children are well taken care of. THE ESCAPED CONVICTS.—WOOLWIOII, Dec. 23.—One of the convicts who escaped last night from the hospital ship, moored off Woolwich Arsenal, was captured about four hours subsequently by a polico constable of the K division, and immediately conveyed to his old quarters. The boat in which the three convicts escaped has been found on the Essex shore of the river, opposite Plum stead. It appears that the fugitives landed at this spot, and proceeded towards Landon, as they were met at Chig well, in Essex, by the police constable referred to, and as no assistance was immediately available two of the men got away, and the third was apprehended after a desperate resistance. MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A YOUNG LADY.--Great ex citement has been caused in Banbury by the following painful circumstances :—Mr. John Garland is a timber merchant, occupying premises in the vicinity of the e camal and railway stations, b u t r es iding at the opposite end of the town. On Friday last, his two daughters, aged respectively 18 and 20, left their home for the epur pose of taking an airing. Returning home earlier than they expected, the elder proposed they sh e go down to the timber yard, and return with their father to dinner. When at the timber yard they . crossed the bridge leading to the railway, accompanied by their father's large Newfoundland (lag, for the Atpurpose of see ing the train pass, due at that time. elder sister had occasion to leave the the station the younger with the dog, for the purpose of recalling two younger brothers who were going another road. Returning to . the spot where she had left her sister a few minutes before, she was much surprised to find her gone. Looking around, and puzzled to know how her sister could have passed withouther seeing her, she started for home, and told her friends how she had lost her sister all at once at the station, and inquired if she had been home. A short time after the dog returned besoddened with wet and dirt, and, the sister not returning, the parents began to grow uneasy. Inquiries were set on foot, with no result. Not a word could be heard of the missing young lady. The neighbourhood was searched with no better success. Night came en, with no tidings. The whole town was excited with the wildest and most stupid conjectures— elopement, abduction, and so forth—without the least foundation, and with it passed Sa nrday, and Sunday forenoon ; at about 2 o'clock on Sunday the mystery was partly solved. The young lady's briy was found in the river Cherwell, about a quarter of a mile from where she was last seen, but how it came there the coroner's inquest will endeavour to find out. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.—The Pacific Railroad 18 the grandest enterprise of the age. Its influences can not be predicted ; but it is not too much to say that its construction will not only bring Western America into more intimate and kindly relations with both shores of the Atlantic, but that San Francisco and New York will thereby become stations on the quickest route from both Australia and China to England and Franck. It ma y seem too much to expect that our tea will reach us overland rather than by sea, and from the west instead of the east, yet that is by no means impossible. That the completion of this road would quadruple the emigra tion from the Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley to the shores of the Pacific will hardly be doubted. We be lieve it would render California the most desirable new country, and San Francisco, or some other Pacific termi nus, one of the most populous and wealthy cities on the globe. We estimate the total cost of the work at sloo,ooo,ooo—that is, $lOO,OOO per mile for the 1,000 miles stretching from the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains to the western base of the Sierra Nevada, or an equivalent to this if the northern route shall be chosen. The rest of the road would easily build itself— that is, companies would be found glad to undertake its construction as a corporate enterprise, with no other inducement than the profit of ronning it ; and these roads would be a good investment, even though the connecting link should never be formed. We do not believe the construction of the entire road need cost the nation anything like 100,100,000 dollars. Probably a company could be found or got up that would undertake it for half that amount, investing the residue as cap:tsl. But even were it to cost 100,000,000 dollars, we say let it be made. It would add more to the greatness of this country and do mora for the well-being of our peorl than a hundred Buena Vistas. Let us have the Pacific within seven days of us, and by telegraph within five minutes. We do not covet our late territorial acquisis tione; but we have them, and should improve and isisne fit them to the utmost.—New York Tribune. LATEST N E WS. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post :second edition), in his letter dated yesterday, says : " I believe I will be able to announce in a few days that the Government of the Emperor of the French, whilst acknowledging the sovereign rights of Prussia to Neuchatel, protests against an armed intervention in Switzerland. The note in the Moniteur, which has caused so much sen sation throughout Europe, ought to have been registered in the Court journal of the Tuileries, and not given to the world as a grave political document. I think I may now assure you that the Emperor will not allow S witzerland to be invaded. There is the strongest feeling in the French army about the Swiss question, and nothing would be more unpopular in France than if the Govern- ment were to countenance the invasion of Switzer land. At a garrison town near Paris the other day all the officers of the dinner drank `to the freedom and independence of Switzerland.' Meanwhile the encouragement given to Prussia by the French Government on the one hand, and the support of public opinion in England and elsewhere on the other, is urging both parties to prepare for action, and thus obliging a great and at the same time unnecessary expense." The Paris correspondent of the Times (second editioa) in his letter, dated yesterday, says : " Prussia and Switzerland are making active preparations for war. The Prussian army to be put in movement, it is said, on the 2d January, consists of 130,000 men ; and the Swiss cannot but feel highly flattered at being thus treated a s a great Power. 130,000 men is, I be lieve, about half the regular army of Prussia. Perhaps the King is about to take the advice of the Assemblee Nationale, and issue forth to put down democracy in the other cantons as well as Neuchatel. Notwithstanding these great pre partitions against so small a State, it is not con sidered likely that blows will be struck. The Powers will no doubt step in and devise some mode of efecting an arrangement. It is neither for the interest of Prussia, nor indeed of Germany in general, that anything like a battle for " Na tionalities" should begin just at this moment. Negotiations are not yet entirely over, and all hope has not vanished of bringing them to a favourable conclusion, notwithstanding the irrita- tion felt by the Swiss against Prussia and the Emperor Napoleon. They had confidence in him, but the feeling is much weakened. They say that he had many ways of paying court to the King of Prussia without wounding the amour. propre of the Swiss, and it is doubtful whether even a visit from Frederick William to the Tuile ries is sufficient compensation for the alienation of Switzerland. How the solution is to be effected I cannot say, perhaps by letting out all the prisoners on bail, as has been done with a few. This would not decide the question of right on either side, but it might answer a temporary purpose." A Polish correspondent of the .Augsburg Gazette writes that the Russians have long been preparing for the outbreak of war between England and Persia. The garrison of Astrakhan has been rein forced, and the Cossacks in the neighbourhood of that city have received a new commander in the person of Lieut.-General Krassnik, but the reports relative to the concentration of troops, which are to be conveyed by the flotilla of the Caspian Sea to Astrabad, "are totally unfounded." The Orenburg corps, of which so much has recently been said, consists of the 23d infantry division, and of the Orenburg battalions of the line, but it is too weak to be sent on an expedition to Persia. The distance is so enormous that there can be no question of a reinforcement being sent from Southern Russia. The principal force of Russia in Asia is in the Caucasus and on the Araxes, and, if her troops should enter Persia, it would probably be by way of the province of Azerbijan. BERNE, TUESDAY ETENING. Four more divisions are to be called out by the Confederation. All militiamen on leave of absence are ordered to be recalled, and officers summoned from furlough. The preparations for war are universal. _ _ The students of the University of Zurich have volunteered for the military service. The popular enthusiasm and determination to resist the in vader is increasing. The Prussian agent bas been expelled as a pro moter of rebellion. BERLIN, TUESDAY. The Prussian Government will require that the war expenses shall be credited to the State from the day when the order shall be issued for the mobilisation of the army, which is expected on an early day in January. MARSEILLES, TUESDAY. The Hydaspes, with news from Constantinople to the 15th, has arrived. The Presse d'Orient says Persia has been forced into the war by the anti-English party threaten ing death, or a change of dynasty., in the event of the Russiau counsels being resisted. The Imaum of Muscat has refused tribute to Persia, declaring that the Sultan is his sole suze rain, and to him he owes fealty and alliance. There is a doubtful rumour at Teheran that Murad Mirza has marched southward, and occu pied Turab, in Cabool. , There has been an explosion of a powder magazine in Constantinople ; many persons were killed. There is a revolt in Abyssinia against Egypt, in which England has offered her mediation. A Vienna letter of the 18th, in the Bourse Gazette of Berlin, states from Naples, that since the insurrectionary movement in Sicily and the attempt upon the King's life, the latter is more than ever determined not to make any conces sions, and has requested the cabinet of Vienna to inform the Western Powers of this resolution of FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. Prussia has requested a passage for its troops on the 15th of February. The Plenipotentiaries will meet, and the first Conference take place, o n S a t ur d ay nex t, the 27th. The Moniteur publishes an imperial decree ap proving of the decisio n o f t h e mun i c ip a l c ouncil of P a ris relative to the bases of the personal furniture (mobilier) taxes for 1857. Rents below 250 fr. a year continue exempt, except the occupiers are patentes (have licences for carrying on business), in which case they will have to pay 3 per cent. ; re nts from 250 fr. t o 499 f r, w ill p a y 3 per cent. ; 500 fr. to 999 fr,, 5 per cent. ; I,ooofr. to 1,499 fr. 7 per cent. ; and 1,500 fr. and upwards, 9 per cent " The project," says the Malta Mail, "of con structing a tunnel to effect a communication be - tw( en the two harbours of Valetta appears to have I , 9en laid by government before the Chamber of commerce. The Constitutionnel offers the following com ment on the budget of the civil list, published by order of the Emperor in the Moniteur "In ordering this publication, the Head of the State employs the measure with which he has al ways triumphed over erroneous and malevolent re ports directed against his policy or against the acts of his government. He has appealed to publicity. In fact, malevolence has spread the rumour, which the correspondents of certain foreign journals bad repeated, that the civil list was in debt, and that in order to meet the munificence of the Sovereign it was necessary to adopt various expedients, and notably to have recourse to loans, authorised by the Treasury. These spiteful rumours are victo riously responded to by the report of M. Fould. In truth, no doubt could possibly have been enter -ained by those who are initiated in the mechanism of our government. The rigorous rules to which the administration in all its branches is submitted in our country are well known. The Treasury par only on the authority of an " ordonnance,' and every ordonnance' must repose on a decree or on a law. The cashier at the Treasury could not make my payment that is not based on those conditions without engaging his personal responsibility. N° one can infringe on these rigorous prescriptions) which offer a complete safeguard for all." BOURSE, Dec. 23.—The following were the last quotations : - Cash. fr. c. End of Month. f. per Cents I per Cents 66 60 66 80 New Loan Bank Shares 4,075 Roman (x. d) Credit Mobilier 1,415 Austrian Belgian Fives .. 97k— Spanish Threes Piedmontese (5) 9l 50 Home Debt RAILWAYS-FOR CASH. 86 86i 42 1 39 fr. c. fr. ' Orleans 1,305 W es t ern - Northern 935 Strasburg - Lyons 1,360 New Ditto Mediterranean 1,715 1,715 Grand Central - Lyons Geneva Cette NEUCHATEL. A telegraphic despatch from Berlin, dated yes terday, in the Nord of Brussels, says :--st On the initiative of representatives of the United States, the Minister of England has invited the missions of the Powers which have not yet intervened in the Neuchatel affair to recommend the Federal Council to set the royalist prisoners at liberty. The object of this intervention appears to be to arrive at arrangement, towards which Prussia might be induced to make an important concession, after the Federal Council should have manifested a sincere desire of conciliation and peace." The New Gazette o f P russ i a c ontains a eery The strong article, in which it says that if Switzer land grants an amne s ty t o th e R o yalist prisonfr to Neuchatel that st e p d oes no t regar d Prussia) in asmuch as Switzerland not having the right to ty the prisoners has not the ri g ht t o p ar don th!nl. it cede in adds, Switzerland h o p es th a t P r ussia will consequence of such an act, she is mistaken, for it is the duty of the kin g t o d e f en d his honour and his right, and the Prussian people know that th e le honour of the king is the honour of the Pe o p The Austrian Gazette on its side contains a lettf e rom Berlin, which says that in consequence of the expense of the military preparations of Prussia against Neuchatel, it is probable that the Prol e Chamber . will not vote the sums necessary for t „. Goer. fortification of Berlin, projected by the ment. THE EAST. We have received the Constantinople journal° and letters to the 12th brought by the Dati ll A b n e ; The instructions sent to the Turkish Anba s° " -- in Paris by Salih Bey, son of Reschid Pacha, join that diplomatist to declare to the allied gc vernments represented in the new confe rences that the Porte will not consent to any k ind ° arrangement, unless Bolgrad, the Isle of Serpents, and the Delta of th e D anu b e b e g i ven into its P session. The Turkish Ambassador is also eba r g f , e i to oppose any project for the union of the : - palities. These instructions are positive and The cise, and will not admit of any wavering. seizure of the Turkish vessels had caused consider: able sensation at Constantinople. It was sai d tl the Cossacks, who had been brought in sen t t a singular manner to Trebisond, were to be 561 4 to Constantinople. The Turkish Ministrj: vi . thl actively engaged in impelling the country path of material ameliorations. An a ppeal n 4 O , been made by the Porte to all the capitalists _1 Europe for the construction of a railway frobine Varna to Rustchuk. The offers made by t Government are said to be very adventageo_uts; The line to Adrianople was about to be conceded an Englishman named Wilkin, who represents aLo a _ don company. The organisation of the Ottote Post-office has been confided tothe intelligence of an Englishman, Mr. Smith, who was Postmaster - G ene" ral of the British forces in the Crimean expeditio n : He will also have the direction of the princiga! lines of telegraph. Kiang Pacha, President of tir. Council of Finance, h as been ap p ointed g overnl of Cyprus. On the n i g ht of the 10th a fi re broke 01 at Kedik Pacha, one of the quarters of Constantl; uople, and, notwithstanding the utmost efforts c Z the firemen and of the inhabitants, d es troyed 1 , hOuses before it coul d be g o t under. A lette r fr°— Galatz of the 30th ult. says " The international commission is continuing i: labours. Last wee k the members embarked on board an Austrian gunboat, in order to explore cl"„- • Silia mouth of the Danube, to the north of the li n o, and afterwards the St. G eorge , to the south. lb e the m• gunboat Alerte accompanied to Sc' English engineers h a d previously surveyed st" r ' l' the - George's Channel, and found the difficulties it P r ' --ge ' ll o t t; b ceou n b t een inu intre b a e se at i t t o s mouth a so considerable that all idea a tur%, haveit adbabnydtohneeda.rriTvableofy:reesaart fish unoat Boxer, which left her heavY g Constantinople. The Alert 4 is to winter here. sn o ut •,, to has fallen •in abundance, and the Danube beg l . • g v ele float down large pieces of ice the thermometer 001 . 10 d communications eg. below zero Centradel4 Fahrenheltk: e st with Co ns tanti nople s oon be off." SARDINIA. deputation from the inhabitants of the L e gr A s and Marches, composed of Counts Nlanlii";3l iancoli, and Ercolani, an d Chevaliers Fa no and Cesari, presented on the 19th, at Turin, a r o f medal to Count Camillo Cavour, and a syrorc4o hohour to General Alfonso Lamarraora. nt medal displays on the obverse the profile of Cou,, h Cavour, with the inscription taken from petral"i6) —" Che fan qui tante peregrine spade ?" lyre)18 (what are so many foreign swords doing ;, 0 On the reverse is the following inscription Victor Camillo Cavour the gifted Minist er —of Emmanuel, the best of Kings — who , at the v° - 7,/ gress of Paris—Defended the contemned rights . 0 Italy—the Legations and Marches—with gratitua_ and faith." The hilt of the sword is of gold,.silvefot and bronze, and of beautiful workmanship• bears the inscriptions—" Crimea and Tshernaya ;d "To Gen. Alfonso Lamarmora, the Legations 013_ Marches ;" " L'antico valore—negli Italics cor ancor spento "—(The ancient valour has not Ye' died away in Italian hearts). THE BALTIC. HAMBURG, DEC. 22. We learn from St. Petersburg to the 13th inst., that the Emperor confirmed, on the 12th of NI lest, the regulations laid before him by the Gra ° D u ko Consta ntine, for the future manageateut , e t he flotilla of Siberia an d the harbours of the Ocean, an d the rules to be berved by Eastern the marine troops of Eastern Siberia in s the Per formance of their duties. ° A French Cabinet Minister's co urier arrived t the 11th in St. Petersburg , w ith very inaportall°ic despatches for the Ambassador , a nd another 09 his departure immediately after for Paris. r i The Duke of Ossuno, Ambassador Extraordint, from the Queen of Spain, arrived on the pole `. l o ', in the Russian capital, with the whole of his 0 1 1 00 At a general meeting of shareholders, beluvs., Saturday last, at the principal saloon of the - I ; .bc , change, and at which Mr. Godefroy preside Y or k directors of the Hamburg and American Nevi 3-° r ,.. Steam Packet Company made a very Dort of the state of the affairs of the compa l3 l 2 . 9 „ea with the unanimous consent of the meeting 0 bt3l - to borrow the sum of 2,000,000/f/Oro bane() (about 180,0001.) for the purchase t a g other steamers of the same size and qua litY ;vg, the Borussia and Hammonia, to commence ru l . l °' r , every 14 days in the course of the ensuing 9ei3.d. It has even been rumoured that the directors 010 ordered these vessels to be built by a first-rate Ira, in Glasgow, and that they are now in a verY e a satisfactory ria ward state. The amount required will be a s t enc,, e to the company by private loan on the pof scln T:, moneyed people here, at 6 per cent. interest, stead of the banks, which decline the advance tir vo low a standard of interest. is d Large quantities of butter are now sent to tough from St. Maio by way of Jersey and Southamp. ole The Essex Herald h as reason to believe that the of the foreign legions will ceas e to exist by January next. t h e 150