The Sun. — London, England, 1856-12-29 00:00:00

TO HOLDERS OF POLICIES IN THE EQUITABLE LIFE OFFICE. BONUS SECURED. Those persons who will be entitled to Bonus Additions to their Policies, if they survive the 31st December, IS9, are informed that such additions may be secured at the HAINID-IN-HA.NII ) LIFE OFFICE, upon most favourable terms, which may be ascertained upon application to the Actuary. Parties 'risking to avail themselves of this arrangement are respectfully requested to signify the same without delay, in order that the requisite number may be obtained and the scheme adopted forth with. By order. RICHD. RAY. Secretary. Hand-in-Nand Fire and Life Office, 1. Ndry Bridge-street, Blackfriar2, London. rEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE. — _Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Roxhy. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. GREAT ATTRACTION for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. Second 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; - Dect• -- 31 - ,- at- 2-o'clock. . . . - • THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform- IMPSOI,I AND CO. After which will be produted 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 ; Or Harlequin Holiday, and. the Island of Ups add 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 Mess rs . Needham, Glindon, dec. The masks, models, and physiog nomical devices designed and executed by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The overture and music composed and arranged by Herr Anschuez. The choregraphic arrangements under the personal supervision of M. Petit. The comic scenes con structed by and under the direction of Harrrßoleno. The peculiar grotesque opening invented and written by E. L. Blanchard author of " Harlequin and t he Seven Ages of Man," " Jack and Jill," " Humming Top," " Fludibras," &c., and the whole arranged and produced under the direction of Mr. Robert Roxby. Ye anciente and. truthful legend on ye which ye pantomime is story is founded : "See, saw, Margery Daw, " Sold her bed, and laid upon straw." MSS. of Nursery Rhymes in British Museum. egion of Reverses, in the Island of Ups and Downs. " Yea, 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 period, 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 Saucebox, and Monsieur Chinque ; Hard Up, Dupli cate, Distraint, and Rags (attendants upon Down), Mr. Friz hard, Mr. Popall, Mr. Qaodham, 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 themselves. Holyday's Home in the Green Bower of Mistletoe and Winter Garden of the Fairies.—Mistletoe (the Fairy Queen), Miss E. Wadlaam ; 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 Huggamuggi.—Herald (with a Proclamation), Mr. Hornogold Guards, Messrs. Stiffneck, Headsup, Eyesright, 'Shoulderarms, Stand-at-ease, and March well ; Tailor, Mr. Broadcloth ; Cobbler, Mr. Waxend ; Black smith, Mr. Anvil; the Princess Margery Daw (afterwards Columbine), Madame Boleno ; Shilly and Shealy (her Maids of Honour), Misses Ditbery and Dothery. How Margery Daw has no notion 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. Dawking ; 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, Tagnag, Menywag, 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 Workbox—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. La . rgeeye, Smalleye, Longsix, Splitup, Snapoff, &e. ; 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. Earlypurly ; 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. Gr... u d Scenic and Mechanical Effects, exhibiting (in processlf construction) the Fairy Fac tory of Fancy, completed with tti e assistance of Labour and Imagination. Tableau. The Transformation : —Two Harlequins, Herr Dentin and Signor Yeroni ; two Sprites, the Brothers Elliott; two Pantaloer s, Mr. Barnes and Mr. G. Tanner; two Clowns, Messrs. Harry Boleno and Flexmore; the Gent, Mr. Halford ; 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, Denlin, 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 Crieket, by which some of the players get bowled out, and 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 ouster—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 —Cntland come again —Clown takes a butcher's shop, which Harlequin makes too hot to hold him. Tailor's Shop and Perfumery Warehouse (Ve. rani, Barnes, and Honey). A gentleman in search of a tailor— A suit that is quite the ticket—The 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, Deuliu, 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 heads 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 in Fleet-street, goes the pace rather fast—The language of the eyes (I-talian of eourse) 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 common scents—A fresh supply of blacks from America —A Dred-ful scene ensues. Mechi's Model Farm (Bolenos, 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 Rocket— Mappin's Cutlery and Shilling Razor Warehouse, King William-street, City (the whole of the double company will appear in this scene.)—Pantaloon proposes to take a bus—Present and future—Weight of public opinion —A change for the better—The people's own bus—When fool meets fool then comes the tug of fan—Collision, crash, smash, and dash—Garott e preventive—Moustache move ment—A pair of sharp blades—Clowns 'prove themselves a case for cutlery—Holloway stopped by Holloway's oint ment—The duel —A cut d irect—Forewarned, forearmed— Public nuisances of 1856—0 h, my Crinoline—A high wind, a regular blow up, an d glorious termination to Ups and Downs in Holiday's Fairy Home. The reduced prices as follows, v ary i ng t h roug h out th e house to suit every one Galleries, tid. and ls. t 1; Second Circle of Boxes, ls. 6d. ; pit, 25 . ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 3s. ; S talls, s s. ; Private Boxes, lOs. 6d., Is., lt. 6d., and 2/. 24. ROYAL LYCEUM TREATRE. Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THJS EVENING, December 29, Will be produced an entirely new and original combination of burlescm, and pan tomime, entitled CONRAD AND MEDORA ; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brough, E sq., founded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gen e . ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr• F. Fenton. Characters in the opening : Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar Birbarto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole Seyde Pasha Mr. Barrett Sing Smaul Mr. Holston Yussiff Mr. S. Calhaem Medora Mrs. Charles Dillon Gulnar Mrs. B. White Zuliem Submarina...(hor first appearnce) Miss Jessie Ryder Serena Miss Marie Wilton Clowns Mr. Tom Matthews and Mr. H. Marshall „Mr. Stilt , Mr. J. Marshall The Brothers Nelson. Miss Clara Morgan and Miss Ladd. To be preceded by THE CAGOT. Raoul, Mr. C. Dillon. The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super. ntendenoe of Mr. Chatterton, jun. carriages conveying parties to the Private Boxes to set down at the State entrance in Burleigh-street. A Morning Performance every Saturday, at 2 o'clock. Pantaloon .. Harlequin .. Sprites ..... Columbines THEATRE ROYAL,., AD EL PHI. Great Attraction for the Holidays. THIS EVENING, (Saturday, Dec. 27), will be performed PAUL PRY Ey Mr. Wright. After which will be produced anew and original union of modern burlesque and old English pantomime (as originated at this theatre), by Professor W ordspinner, Member of Every thing, with entirely new scenery, dresses, transformations, dtc„ called MOT HER SHIPTON or, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whi s tl e . Harlequin and Columbine (3 la Watteau), M adame Celeste and Miss Wy - ndham; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland; Scaramouch, Mr. Le Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr, J. Bland, Mr. R. R omer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kell., Miss Arden, 4c. rINHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. THIS EVENING, SATURDAY, Dac. 27, to commence at Seven with the comedy of THE HONEYMOON. In consequence of Mr. Murdoch's success he is re-engaged for a few nights and will appear as the Duke Aranza. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle. The scenery of the opening story painted by Mr W. Callcott. The music composed and arranged by Edward Fitz. william. The pantomime produced under the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Milano;Columbine, Fanny Wright (her 2d appearance in that character) ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and Clown, Mr. Driver (his 2d appearance in that character at this theatre). The first Morning perform. auce of the Pantomime will be given on Thursday, Jan. 1, and continue every Thursday throughout the holidays : com mencing at 2, concluding at 4. ROYAL PRINCE SS'S TEATRE. THIS EVENING, Dee. 27 H , will be per formed THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Genii . of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr. C o rmack ; Clown, Mr. Hnhne ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co lumbine, Miss C. Adams. On Monday, will be presented A Midsummer Night's. Dream and the Pantomime. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan. THIS ( EVENING, DELICATE GROUND. Messrs. G. Vining and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling. A new Fairy Extravaganza, by J. R. Planche, Esq., called YOUNG AND HANDSOME. Messrs. F. Robson, Rogers, Leslie, G. Cooke, Danvers. Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall, St. Caese (her first appearance), Castleton, Bromley, Haskell, a,nd Mrs. Melfort. After which, CRINOLINE. Commence at half-past Seven. TRAND T HEAT RE.—Manager, Mr. T. 0.7 Payne.—This Evening will be performed ROBERT MACAIRE. To conclude with the immensely successful novel Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE ; or, Harlequin Humbug and the Shams of London. The Fairy Christmas, Miss E. Wilton ; Good Humour, Miss Norbury ; Mercury, Miss Cameron ; Humbug, Mr. Herbert ; Cant, Mr. Bolton ; Baron, Mr. J. B. Johnstone • Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke ; Lord Lover., Miss Craven; Addelpsto, Miss Cuthbert; Crambo, Master W. Edouin ; Lady Agnes, Miss E. Jacobs ; Baroness, Mr. G. Lee ; Furbilosa, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harle quinade :—Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, Master W. Edouin ; Pantaloon, Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines. Miss E. Jacobs and Mdle. Collison ; Premier Danseuse, Mdle. Marie Charles. New and magnificent Scenery, drc. New Curtain. New Act Drop. Commence at Seven. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, is. ; Gallery, 6d. A morning performance of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock. TOP OYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lib Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, DOUGLAS. After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER QUEEN. Harlequin, Mr. F. Glover ; Clown, Mr. Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury; the Four Sprites, the Fillis Fa mily ; Columbines, Mesdames Marie and Agnes. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING, Shakspeare's Tragedy of MACBETH, with its Splendid Equestrian Illustrations by Mr. W. Cooke's Trained Horses. Macbeth, Mr. James Holloway. After which, the skilful SCENES in the CIRCLE. To conclude with a new grand equestrian comic pantomime, replete with fun, frolic, risibility, and extravagance, called PAUL PRY ON HORSEBACK ; or, Harlequin and the Magic Horseshoe. Doors open at half-past six ; commence at seven o'clock. Fox-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. CA.NTERBITRY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Glees, Duets, dlc., viz, : —Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunell, and Miss Summers ; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Raino. T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, and P. Corrie ; Masters Austin, Ben nett, and Corri ; Mr. Sam Cowell and E. Mackney. Piano forte, J. Harroway, R.A. ; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun. ; director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pro cisely. 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 favourite selec tions . lIIGEI WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TUTS DA!—Morn. 5 min. aft. 3—Evening 25 min. aft. 3 Tn-Moßsow—Morn. 46 min. aft. 3 —Evening 5 min. aft. 4 THE WEATHER--SIIN °BEIDE, DECEMBER 23. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 37 -highest sinew noon yesterday. 2S--lowest this morning and during the night. 34 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 66. WIND, W.N.W.-Moderate, with fine, frosty weather. Morning very cold and foggy. DECEMBER 29. 35 -highest since noon yesterday. 32 -,owest this morning and during the night. 39 -tilk day at noon. PAaomrrza, 30 . 13-3 great rise-nearly half an inch. WIND, W.N.W. to N.W.-Light, with dull, frosty weather. coy i k.V. THE SUN. LONDON, MOWDAY, L')NDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1856. Once more we avail ourselves of the invaluable assistance of the " Shade of COCKER," by repub lishing, at the request of many correspondents, the admirable " Dialogue on the Income Tax," which appeared in The Sun of Thursday last. The gross iniquity—the palpable unfairness of the present system is so clearly explained, that "he who runs may read," and any man of ordinary comprehension can understand the mode in which he is plundered under " that masterpiece of State- Graft," that contrivance of surpassing ingenuity for extracting the largest possible proportion of money from the pockets of the industrious and intelligent creators of wealth, in order that a proportionate immunity from taxation may be enjoyed by the possessors of wealth, or, in other words, " a tax upon the working bees of the social hive for the relief of the drones." As the clear-sighted Spirit declares, " the deep ingenuity of the contrivance consists of two things—first, the artfulness by which it deludes its victims into the belief that they are taxed equally, or propor tionately, with other classes of society ; and, secondly, the facility with which it extracts money from the pockets of various classes in precisely the inverse ratio of the amount of property possessed." The accuracy of these assertions is fully established by the carefully prepared tables, which show the sums actually contributed by different owners of accumulated and realised property—some, such as the owners of Long Annuities, which are to expire in 1860. We date from the sth April, 1857, from which day any change must take effect, and assume the unit of 1501. per annum taken by "the Spirit," are worth but 4161., while others go on to the full value of 3,7501. ; the former paying at the rate of 21. Bg., the latter of only 53. 4d. per cent., or, in other words, the former being charged nine times as much as the latter. The true principle of taxation is that defiled by " ADA)/ SMITH," and quoted by "the Spirit." It is that " the subjects of every State ought to contribute towards the support of the Govern ment, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities." Nothing more equitable or reasonable can be stated. There is nothing of graduation in this, no special burthen on wealthy men, no tax on prudence, every man pays for protection; and he should do so according to his means, and the value of that which he enjoys. It is exactly the principle of fire insurance—and it would be ridiculous to assert that the man who insured Property to the value of 100,0001. should be charged the same price which the man who had only 5 ) 00 01- or 10,0001. was required to pay. The latter Would speedily object to the manifest imposition, and there is no possible rea son why the defrauded contributors to the national revenue should be more patient, under the fraud by which they have been mystified. There are, however, two classes of taxation, the distinction between which must be fully re cognised. The revenue is required for the pay ment of the just claims of the public creditors, and also for the maintenance of the national establishments. Now, there is no possible rea son why the former should be a burthen on in dustry. No man has a right to mortgage the ex ertions of his children beyond the value of th e property which they may inherit from him. To_ do so would be to render them slaves. The moneyocracy, and their obedient servants, may strive to disguise this simple truth. Filial piety may desire to reserve the memory of their proge nitors from the shame of leaving unsatisfied de mands. But it has never been supposed that a father could leave one of his children wealthy, while all the others were not only left penniless, but bound to satisfy debt created for the improve ment of the property bequeathed to the favoured one. The debts should, in the first instance, be liquidated out of the assets, before any moral obligation could bind the unportioned children. Now, last year, the cost of the Funded and Unfunded Debt amounted, in round terms, to twenty-eight millions sterling (28,112,8241. Os. 2d.), and we may assume that it will continue at the same amount. In ordinary times, when the Temple of Jertus is closed, and there is no great war to occasion an extraordinary outlay, .the main tenance of the national establishments in a state of complete efficiency will amount to something less, but for argument sake we may assume at an equal amount. Here, then, we arebound to obtain 56,000,0001., of which one moiety shall fall exclu sively on property, the other on propertyand industry jointly. The one should be provided by direct taxation, the other partly by direct and partly by indirect taxation ; or, what would be the same thing, by a direct tax, pressing equally on pro perty and industry—in proportion to their rela tive meal*. Not only can this be accomplished, but we venture to put forward a plan by which it may be fairly and equitably achieved ; thus saving Sir G. C. LEWIS a portion of the labour for which he is so handsomely paid. The accumulated and realised property of the country bas never been estimated at less than FIVE THOUSAND MILLIONS OF POUNDS STERLING. It has generally, and we believe more correctly, been calculated at from seven to eight thousand millions. We shall, however, for the sake of our present argument, assume it at six thousand mil lions. One-half per cent. on this amount would produce 30,000,0001., sufficient to pay the inte rest and cost of management of the public debt, and some of the damnosce hereditates handed down from our forefathers. There would, when the costs of collection were defrayed, be but little, if anything, towards the maintenance of the national establishments, which might, for the present at least, be supported by the items of indirect taxa tion which we are prepared to indicate! This one-half per cent. on capitalised value would be by no means an extravagant charge. It is far less than was intended to be charged by the original land tax, which declared that " per sonal property should pay three shillings in the pound, and that real property should be charged, with as much equality and indifferency as possible, by a pound rate, towards the sum by the Act imposed. This would be no less than 33. in the pound on personal property, while it may be presumed that real property would contribute in a still larger proportion. In fact, 4s. in the pound was the rate charged. Of coarse, when property was thus burthened, it should be the exclusive charge ; and this we are prepared to concede, giving up the Land Tax (making compen sation to the proprietors of that which has been redeemed, according to the value of their pay ments) ; giving up also the obnoxious House Duty and the tax on legacies and successions. We shall prove, beyond the possibility of doubt, in The Sun Budget, which shall shortly appear, that it would be for the benefit of the great_ majority of the parties now charged to pay this commuted im- post, while, without injuring them, it would be an extraordinary boon to the rest of the commu nity. Our space warns us that for this day we have gone the full length-of our tether ; but we shall follow up the subject, and prove the perfect possibility of our scheme. Sir EDWARD LTrroN—as we are constrained by law and by courtesy to call him whose name, "familiar in our mouthsa d s househo ld gwords,' is simply, and briefly, an loriously " BIILWER" to us all—graced by his presence a s Chairman, at the London Tavern, on Saturday evening, the annual dinner of the Commercial Tra vellers. The Honourable Baronet, it may here be briefly remarked, in justice to himself and to the occasion, not merely graced the proceedings by his presence, but while so doing really, and truly, and literally " glorified" them, at once by the charms of his oratory and the lustre of his reputation. Insomuch that an incident, always during the last ten years invested with a peculiar degree of interest, has this year, under his distin guished auspices, been elevated to one of very particular importance. The anniversary banuet, we mean periodically gathering together the pro moters of one of the most attractive and charac teristic among all our great charitable institutions. Au institution we do not hesitate to de signate thus entitled to public sympathy, by this twofold right of pre-eminence—because in it, in " The Commercial Travellers' School," we do in truth distinctly recognise an eleemosynary establishment peculiarly befitting a great mercan tile race, acting upon, or at least, let us say, striving to act, in accordance with the divine and beneficent principles of Christianity. As Sir EDWARD LYTTON observed, in his very admirable speech on Saturday evening, it would be nothing less than a stigma and a disgrace to the nation if the orphan children of men as useful, as honest, and in every way as respectable as our Commercial Travellers, were thrown upon the world without friends and without hope, " and that, too, at a time when this good-hearted mother •country of ours is fostering at her breast and rocking in her arms the lawless offspring of the JACK SHEPPARDS and JONA THAN WILDS of Society I" Not but that the far-seeing and philanthropic author of " PAUL CLIFFORD," the sagacious and astute publicist to whom we are indebted for the wisdom stored up in the celebrated political thesis of "England and the English," the large-hearted, bright-eyed romancist of " Lucretia," who in that terrible work may be said to have cast a plummet into the Gulph of Crime, and to have sounded (sternly and inexor ably, but with the noblest purpose in his view) the abysses of moral depravity amongst u3—not but that he, of all men in this country, ch erishes a certain wistful sympathy for the policy (" the beneficial and merciful policy" he calls it), securing to the children of felons nowadays the saving aid of the Imperial Govern ment ! No—but as he explicitly added, on Saturday evening, to the confession of the more than amiable weakness involve d in this same sympathy with the lawless offspring of our crimi nal population—" I do say that g reat care must be taken, or else it will be rath er an advantage than not, to be the Child of a Felon !" And so— impressed with a sense of this im minent necessity— Sir EDWARD LYTTON, immedia tel y an opportunity offers for so doing, frankly le nds his helping hand to the building up of some generous and substan tial Counterpoise ! To which end—although (as one of the speakers intimated on Saturday even ing) at considerable personal inconvenience to himself—he hastens up to London in the genial Christmas time to act as Chairman, in 1856, at the annual dinner of the Commercial Travellers. EVENING, DECEM - BER 29, 1856 ment's flight to Mr. SMITH 0 4 BRIEN. What pos sible good can come to Ireland of a war with Persia ? What possible justification can there be of it? "I," who have all knotty points of policy unravelled at my finger's ends, " I profess that lam unable to discover what moral right the British Government pos sesses to interfere, in regard to contentions re specting a country which is situate a distance of many hundred miles from its frontier, or what legitimate interest England can have in giving armed effect to such interference." One is almost tempted to reply, would there not have been wisdom in barring the wido cv's garden gate ere the writer lay perdu among the cabbages ? But we have said enough of this miserable document, which is insuring to the Irish people, discreditable to the writer, and only calculated for the meridian where Russia meets with advocates, and Englishmen with traitors to their national interests and would-be sappers of their imperishable renown. Elsewhere in our impression of this evening will be found a very remarkable letter, signed "Justitia," addressed to one of our morning con temporaries. It is a communication we cannot but think peculiarly entitled to public considera tion. If for no other reason, for inasmuch as it distinctly maintains a late rather notable decision of the Horse Guards, a decision involving the Summary Dismissal of two officers from her MAJESTY'S Army, to be—illegal. Asserting this illegality in plain terms (indeed, in so many words) to be "allowed by competent law authorities." An opinion curiously coincident, by the way, with a hint thrown out pretty much to the same effect not long ago, through a certain terse, pithy, sen tentious paper, published in a recent number of the Lam Quarterly. As to the accuracy of this rather startling estimate of a rather startling de cision —that, of course, remains yet to be demonstrated. At any rate, as we took particalar occasion to remark at the period of the double and peremptory dismissal alluded to, it is impossible—while commending the prompt and haughty spirit in which H.R.H. the Commander in-Chief evidenced his resolve to put an end, if possible, at once and for ever, to practices so dis creditable to her MAJESTY'S army (practices so dis creditable to it if allowed to be continued with impunity)—lt is impossible, at the same time, we say, not to regard with the liveliest sym pathies of condolence the noble family thus poignantly affected, for the sake of benefit.ing the Service by means of one Stern and Conspicuous Example ! It is impossible, let us add, not to cast one regretful glance upon the memory of a brave old soldier, who now " sleeps well " after " life's fitful fever," one whose gallant heart would have thrilled with pain under a blow so dire and in a manner irreparable, one whose whole career gives him a recognisable claim upon the respect and gratitude of the national remembrance. Coming amongst his commercial auditors as a stranger, according to his own graceful depreca tion of comment upon his being there and then amongst them in the Chair of the Commercial Travellers—although himself bound to the mer cantile world merely by the natural bonds subsist ing (from times of remote antiquity) between Commerce and Literature. " Entering that room among strangers to him personally," he said, "he yet felt as if he were coming amongst familiar friends : and he trusted that on leaving it that impression would be recip rocal." This—from Sir EDWARD LYTTON himself, be it remembered ! For, as the Honourable Member for Hertford (Mr. THOMAS CHAMBERS) remarked, very charmingly, a little later on in the evening, Sir EDWARD LYTTON could not be a stranger in any assembly where the English language was spoken—possessing, himself, on the contrary, " the awful privi lege and responsibility of speaking by every fire-side in England, in America, in fact wherever the Anglo-Saxon tongue was known !" Thus, as a friend, let us add, as a very dear friend of us all —not by any possibility as a stranger—Sir EDWARD LYTTON, or, rather, we must per-1 force here speak of him simply by his name of fame—" Burimmt," cannot but have his presence on Saturday evening at the London Tavern, as Chairman of the annual dinner of the Commercial Travellers, hailed with a sense of very peculiar satisfaction by all ranks and classes of his fellow countrymen. His presence there aff o rds addi tional and impressive evidence of his sympathy with meritorious need, and above all with the hope, with the ambition, in one word, with the Future of the Rising Generation. It was evidence—through the poet, through the novelist, through the dramatist —of the kindly nature, of the warm heart, of the comprehensive aspirations of the philanthropist. And the particular object of these gene rous sympathies on Saturday evening— was it not an object in a very especial manner, worthy of them, worthy of the most ear nest and cordial consideration ? That object being simply the promotion of the interests of the Commercial Travellers' School—a charitable es tablishment— in which the orphan children of an eminently deserving class are tenderly nurtured and wisely educated. An institution so intrin sically excellent in its character, and so obviously good in its general design, that it has, in one single decade, sprung from the merest germ to a full and ripened maturity—a maturity giving every promise of permanence. Having already, after an existence of nearly ten years from the date of its commencement, funded pro perty to the amount of 13,0001., pro ducing an annual income of 4001. sterling ! yearly subscriptions yielding 3,6001. upon an average ! Making together, with the interest on the funded property already mentioned, a total fixed income of 4,000/. ! Educating by means of this yearly income 109 boys and 52 girls, alto gether 162 children—securing a home for them through a munificent outlay of no less than 26,047/. expended upon land, contractor, architect, drainage, gas works, farm-buildings,&c.! It was the advance ment of this noble institution which was the aim of the convivial assemblage of Saturday—an aim imparting an air of importance to the festivities, evolving from them their golden fruits to the tune of 1,5001., and securing to them the lustre inseparable from the oratorical graces, the heart born eloquence, the fame and the genius of per haps the most illustrious living representative of our national literature. Mr. SMITH O'BBIEN again. This time on affairs in general, and the Income Tax, and old Ireland in particular. The mode, a lengthy epistle —with a reproduction of which, by the way, we have sot deemed it necessary to trouble our readers. Of course, the letter possesses the usual characteristics of the writer's productions, saving and excepting hopefulness and elevation of tone. With a great deal of balderdash there is here and there a sprinkling of good sense. With not a little narrowness of view and querulous captious ness, there is a little to which we can yield assent. Altogether, the effect it produces amounts pretty much to this—regret to recognise symptoms of the writer's being drawn from the privacy that is good for him into a vortex requiring a cooler head and more ductile morals than his to be steered through without danger to his peace and quiet, and the welfare of others. In the first plac3 he draws attention to the movement in England against the continuance for another year of the War portion of the Income T pe a r x. ty T H ax e , n w e h x i t ch ex h p e re d ss e e s s er h ib is ee approval sotf just of all taxes. xos. me, Evenet‘ with anln f c a o y m ou e r T a a t hx,iifs hands. pro So properly gra duated,far we have no cause for exception. At this stage, however, he makes a bolt. "If therefore," he says, " the present Income Tax were applied to purposes useful to Ireland, I would rather urge a modification of its provisions than a diminution of its amount." But the ques tion now at issue, in his opinion, is—" Whether the British Government ought or ought not to be encouraged to subject the resources of Ireland in order to maintain a war establishment for the promotion of objects in which Ireland has uo imaginable concern !" Why, this is " a more excellent song than the other." The notion of a diversity of interests between two portions of the same empire, connected as England and Ireland are, is even more absurd than the defunct cry of a repeal of the Union. Who ever heard of a people, to whom Imperial advantages were thrown open, being permitted to claim the immunities of a province? Yet this is what Mr. SMITH O'BRlEN evidently contemplates. Ireland is to be part o f England when it is profitable to be so, but not a part of it when it is not is to share in all the glory and solid pudding, but to shirk Imperial taxation. And Ireland is badly used because this is not the case. If Eng land were dragging Ireland down, there might be some colourable reason for repugnance to Imperial taxation ; but the contrary being notoriously the case, the ludicrousness of the notion is only equalled by the want of generosity it betrays. We trust and believe Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN is but an indifferent exponent of Irish feeling on the matter. Ho next proceeds to inquire what the empire and what Ireland has gained by the late hostilities. Be sure, the picture he paints of the operations and result of the war is not of the brightest. Agreeing, however, with much that he advances respecting the mismanagement of the war, and the inadequacy of its results, we can by no means sympathise with the spirit manifest throughout his remarks. His pleasure at that which occasions us regret is but too apparent. Coming to the last three months, we find him giving a qua lified disapproval of King BOMBA'S Government, which looks as if he meant it to be inferred that Naples is better governed than Ireland. In deed, from what follows, it would hardly be going too far to assert, he appears as the advocate of that much-injured monarch, who is one day stabbed and another nearly blown up by his own subjects, who ought to know the nature of his rule best, From Naples to Herat is but a mo• AUSTRALIA. (BY ELECTRIC TELEURAPH.) ARRIVAL OF THE RED JACKET. LTVERPOOL, MONDAY MORNING. The Red Jacket, from Australia, is off the port. A good summer trade was expected at Mel bourne. The price of gold was 755. to 778. per ounce. 85,000 ounces of gold had been shipped in the week ending Oct. 18. There was a Ministerial crisis at Sydney. The Governor had refused to dissolve. The Queen held a Privy Council this afternoon at Windsor Castle. THE CABINET.—AII the Ministers are absent from London, with the sink le exception of the Home Secretary, Sir George Grey. The period of the return of the mem bers of the Government is at present uncertain, for no summonses have yet been issued for the re-assembling of the cabinet in town. The Duke of Rutland is surrounded by a select family circle at Belvoir Castle, including the Marquis of Granby, Lord John Manners, Mr. and Lady Eizabeth Drum. mond, and the Rev. Mr. and Lady Adelizl Norman. His Grace continues in much the same state. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland arrived at Trentham, in Staffordshire, a few days ago from Stafford House. Their Graces have been detained in town several weeks by the severe illness of the Earl of Ellesmere. The Marquis of Bath has been entertaining a aeleci circle at Longleat, Wilts. _ - The Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford have left town, on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, at Trentham. The Archbishop of Armagh, who has been suffering from an attack of gout at the Archiepiscopal Palace at Armagh, is, we are happy to learn, quite recovered. We understand that the Very Rev, the Dean of Christ (7:lurch, in company with Mr. Liddell and his medical adviser, Dr. Acland, started from Plymouth on Tuesday last in H.M.S. Satellite, Captai❑ Prevost, for Madeira, it being considered advisable that he should spend the winter months in a warmer climate. The vicarage of Chiswick hai become vacant by the death of the Rev. T. F. Bowerhank. It is worth 7001. a year, and is in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul'g. The Dean and Chapter of Ripon have fixed Wednesday next for the election of a Bishop of that see, in pursuance of her Majesty's cong6 d'elire. There is, it is needless to say, no doubt that their election will fall on the Rev. R. Bickersteth. . It is proposed to erect a monument to Isaak Walton in Winchester Cathedral, where he is interred. Letters from Copenhagen speak of the weather in Denmark being more like spring than winter. The municipal council of Nante. has passed a resolu tion in favour of the line of railway from Le Mans to Angers, by Sable. A convention has just been signed at Hanover, for the adoption of the pound of 500 grammes as unity of weight. REPRESENTATION OF MERTHYR.—Mr. John Front, the Chartist, has announced his intention of offering himself as a candidate for the representation of Merthyr Tydvil at the next election. - The produce of the gold mine in the government of Irkutsck, in Russia, is estimated for the present year at 200 pouds (3,200 kilogrammes). These mines have been worked only for the last few years. Mn. CFIARLFS MATHEWS.—This celebrated comedian lately met with an accident on the stage of the Man chester Theatre that has resulted in erysipelas, which will preclude him from performing for some time to come. Miss Pully Marshall, from accounts just received from America, appears to be taking Brother Jonathan by storm. She is becoming an iturnenNe favourite in New York. Her sister, Miss Louisa Marshall, has also made a most successful debut at Burton's Theatre. We (Athenamm) understand that the subscription list for a memorial to Sir 11, Bishop, which records contri butions to the amount of 1761, from 359 contributors, Will be closed on the last day of this year, and that shortly afterwards the committee will meet to decide in what form or fashion of monument the sum will be best applied. REPRIEVE.—Thomas Manse], convicted at the last Maidstone Assizes of the murder of a comrade belonging to the 49th Regiment, has been respited until the sth of Feb., 1857, in order to afford time for the decision of certain points of law raised by hi s counsel, relating to the mode of swearing the jury ou his trial, the Attorney. General having intimated his intention to grant his fiat for the suing out of a writ of error. —Observer. OBLITERATING STAMP FOR LETTERS.—We understand that his Grace the Po-talaster-General has been phased t o grant Mr. John Gilchrist, a stamper in the General Post-office, a gratuity of 101., in consideration of that officer's zeal and ingenuity in bringing to perfection a revolving obliterating stamp. This recognition of the services of a deserving officer has given great satisfaction to the department ; and although this is the first in stance in Scotland that meritorious conduct has been noticed in the shape of a pecuniary bounty from the Postmaster-General, we trust that it may act as an inducement to others in the service to exercise their in genuity and intelligence for the benefit of the public service. --Scotsman. BRITISH AND IRISH GRAND JIINCTION.—It appears that 4 20,000/., out of the 460,0001., the proposed capital of this undertaking, has been subscribed, and the pro moters are endeavouring to complete the subscriptions by the end of the month. This undertaking has the support of the landowners and of several railway com panie“:, and is intended to form a communication between the railways in Great Britain and Ireland by means of nine miles of railway from the Irish railways to Dona ghadee, steamers by the short sea passage to Portpatrick, and thence 53 mil.,. of railway to a junction with the railways of Great Britain, It is folly expected that the remaining 40,000/. will be subscribed by the time speci fied, in order to comply with the standing orders of Parliament. LATEST NE WS. BOMBARDMENT OF CANTON. TRIESTE, DEC. 27. The steamer America arrived hero today at 10 p.m., in 147 hours from Alexandria, which port she left on the 20th of December. The India mails had arrived there, with ad vices from Bombay to the 3d of December ; Cal cutta, the 22d of November ; Madras, the 27th of November ; Ceylon, the 29th of November : Hong Kong, the 15th of November ; Melbourne, the 20th of October mad Sydney, the 15th of October. At 11 a.m. (on the 20th) neither the Ripon nor the Valetta was in sight. A serious collision had taken place at Canton between the British authorities and Yeh, the Chi nese Governor General. A lorcha under the British flag at anchor off Canton was boarded on the Bth of October by a Chinese force, and 12 of the crew seized. Consul Parkes proceeded on board, and was insulted and threatened with violence. The remonstrances made to Yoh were treated with contempt. On the 21st of October the matter was placed in the bands of Admiral Seymour. Hostile measures commenced on the 24th of October. The forts of Canton were taken, and several of them destroyed. Yeh persisted in rejecting Admiral Seymour's demands for satisfaction, or even an interview. On the 27th of October fire was opened on the city walls and on the Governor's palace. The city walls were breached and stormed on the 29th of October. The troops penetrated to the Palace, but were withdrawn in the evening. The loss was three killed. and 12 wou❑ded. Attempts at negotiation continued fruitless, and on the 3d and 4th of Nuvember the old city was bombarded. On the 6th of November 23 war junks were attacked by the Barracouta and all destroyed. Time was again granted to the Chinese, but no signs were given of submission. According to the last accounts the Bogue forts had been captured. The factories had been almost totally vacated by the foreign community. Property to a large amount had been destroyed by fire. Caninierce was at a standstill. INDIA. No intelligence had been received at Bombay of the Persian expedition. A force of 5,000 men was marching from the Kohat frontier towards Kabul. The Timm) army for the Persian Gulf, con sisting of 8,000 men, has marched for Cabool. Severe cowl tgrations had taken place at Ran goon, Kurrachee, and Bombay. The Guicowar of Baroda died on the 19th of October. Disturbances had broken out in Kimedy. Exchange at Bombay, 2s. 2 d . ; at Calcutta, 2s. lid. Freights had advanced. Exchange at Madras, 2s. 2ad. At Hong Kong exchange was 4s. 7- 1 (1. to 4s. Bd.; at Shanghai, 7s. scl. HONG KONG, NOT. 16. Exports of tea, 29,500,0001 b. ; ditto of silk, 43,800 bales. Exchange, 4s. Bd. at Canton, and 7s. sd. at Shanghai. Silk settlements at Shanghai 53,000 bales; prices have advanced 40 dols., yet no great sup- plies attracted. THE BESSARABIAN FRONTIER. VIENNA, SUNDAY. Count Kisseleff, the Russian Minister at Paris, yesterday agreed to the Bessarabian frontier line proposed by the allies. PRUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND• VIENNA, SUNDAY EVENING, DEC. 28. The Austrian (Ministerial) Correspondent says that the Austrian Minister at Berne did not give his support to the representatives of England and of the United States, because Austria cannot enter into any moral engagements calculated to influence another Power to renounce its legs: rights. The following telegraphic despatches were re ceived in Paris last night BERNE, DEC. 27. The Federal Assembly held its first sitting to day. It formed itself into a National Council. The President made a warlike speech. The Fede ral Council requested permission to negotiate a pacific settlement of the dispute on the bases hitherto observed, asked for the approval of the measures of defence already in course of execution, leave to exert all necessary efforts to complete the defence of the territory, unlimited credits, and the permission to contract a loan of 30,000,000 f. STUTTGARDT (WURTEMBERG), DEC. 27. Ten members of a committee formed by the Chambers of the States have presented an address to the Government, tending to refuse the concen: tration or the passage of the Prussian army through the Southern States of Germany. Horses are being purchased at Ulm for the Swiss officers. PERSIA. CONSTANTINOPLE, DEC. 18. Despatches, 'dated the 17th November, have been received from Teheran. A decree by the Shah of Persia invests the Grand Vizier with unlimited powers for life. The same decree adds that serious events aro imminent, and calls upon the people to show themselves energetic, and to defend their honour to the last. All the chiefs of tribes by whom the environs of Herat are occupied have made their submission. The Persian columns despatched in pursuit of Dost Mahommed were advancing on Candahar. The Ottoman Government has contracted a loan for 35,000,000 of piastres. BERLIN, SUNDAY. The French Government has made a new proposition, which is said to be supported by the other Powers. It is that the prisoners, now in the hands of the Swiss authorities, should be liberated, but banished the Helvetic territory by a declaratory measure of police. If Switzerland assents to this, an understanding, says the despatch, is still possible. The Berlin Correspondenz contradicts the state ment that the order of march to the Prussian army is postponed to the 15th Feb. The march will immediately follow the order for mobilisation, which is by no means adjourned. The Paris correspondent of the Time 3 (second edition), in his letter dated yesterday (Sunday), G p.m., say s " I mentioned some weeks since that, with a view to effect an arrangement of the Russian question to the satisfaction of all the powers who were represented at the Paris Conferences, it had been proposed by the French Government that Russia should abandon her claim to the Bolgrad situate on the lake Yalpuk, and which communicates with the Danube, on condition of the cession of a cer tain portion of territory in Bessarabia, where she might establish the centre of her Bulgarian popu lation ; and that this proposition was rejected by the English Government. It is now said that, after a good deal of negotiation, the principle' has been accepted, not, however, as compensation for Bolgrad, the Russian claim to which was in variably declared to be unfounded, but in return for the Isle of Serpents. By this arrange ment Russia will be debarred from all contact with the Danube, and the question of the ..,_ navigation of that stream satisfactorily settled. " It is further stated that a draft of the proto col as agreed to by the Powers has been forwarded to St. Petersburg, and that the Conferences will open as soon as the answer of the Russian Govern ment is received. It is not anticipated, however, that any difficulty will be raised, as Russia is already aware of the manner in which it is pro posed to settle this question." A person in Vienna, who is generally well informed of what is passing behind the scetoo, gives the following account of the arrangements that have just been made at Paris. First, both the Bo!grads are to be ceded to Moldavia ; second, the Delta of the Danube and the Isle of Serpents are to be ceded to Turkey, and Russia is to retain pos session of the piece of land between the Yalpuk and its tributary as a compensation for Old Bol' grad (Tabak). The area of the abovementioned territory is said to be about 180 square miles, with a population of between 8,000 and 10,00 0 souls. In order to make the foregoing informs' tion complete, it must be added that the Russian Ministers at Paris do not object to the terms pro posed. FRANCE. PARIS, SUNDAY. The Plenipotentiaries will meet, preliminarillf to-morrow, Monday, at the Ministry of Foreign, Affairs. Count de Morny, whose return to Paris has been announced for the end of the present month, will not, says the Constitutionnel, arrive until towards the end of January. A Vienna letter in the Debats says :—" ara have able to inform you that final instructions now been despatched from the Government here to our ambassador at Paris, relative to the con ferences. It is said to have been amongst the Powers that the sittings shall agreed not exceed four in number. The only two ques tions that will be discussed—that of Bolgrad and of the Isle of Serpents—will be decided, as al ready mentioned, either for or against Russia by the majority of plenipotentiaries present. 11'1,,e opposition of England and Austria, in aecord wit Turkey, against the union of the Danubian prinoi" wrest concessions on this subject from palities remains unshaken. Nev(er will any I)( 3 ' l . er Her great commercial and political interests will 1 1 constantly opposed to all the dreams of the union o these two countries. This question cannot even fool the object of deliberations in the congress, and the eventuality of the annexation should be 1 9 9 chance raised, the Austrian plenipotentiary 113 g been enjoined to withdraw rather than to furnish r by his presence any pretext for the introductio n the discussion of that question in one of the fnu r sittings of the congress." i n the A letter from the Indian Seas, published Austria. Moniteur de la Flotte, announces that M. de g° ll 7 tigny, the French Envoy, had arrived at .Flue the 15th of September last : an d . th! " Hue or Hoe is the capital of Cochin China, residence of the Emperor. The town is one othe ennead: fortified in Asia, and most advantag eously maritime The Annamite Government is prepar in g there a beone expedition, which, to judge from appear that "' world. of the most formidabl e e ver seen in part of sins The expedition is, it is sai d, to act ago the China, and a descent is to be made on the coast t r° . Tche-Le. The Cochin Chinese fleet is completely orgas nised, and comprises 1,200 war vessels, o f all si rs ! from class, into three classes. The s hi p s of war of the roc r class, which are the size of our fr i g ates, and cart), ~ v,,` 50 to 60 guns ; the ga lle y s, which are prope T either by sail or by the oar ; and the ordiono. transport ships. Each division of the fleet is manded by an Admiral, under the direction of Prorge Ghia-Khang, a relative of the Emperor, who fills post of Grand Admiral. His flag-ship is c alled m_ : c l Menak-Khong-Sih (the C ommander of the Seas), carries 62 guns. Her mas ts are g ilt, and her sails are bound with white satin an d g old fringe. There aji, 100,000 operatives employed in fitting out the ttlle. o „ tion and preparing materials for its operations. Coci ll in the extreme East. It possesses a very respectable can, China is jug ly regarded as the first maritime power non foundry and a museum of artillery, i n which are CO., lected models of all the cannon used in Europe. Tha 3 likewise a naval museum, in which is to be seen am ariner o „repass given to the Emperor Pay-Song in the Yel t i 1761 by M. Poivre, the celebrated traveller, Theret,. XVIII. in 1817. Several es likewise a very fine m a p o f the wor ld g ivel, which is he a h r i tic in l great veneratio . u .. . Luoeu-iee naval engagements. This Louis X.VI., are likewise several outingsresents Prince, are a n i : s tive artists represent the Ei p nperorGya -Long h o regev e rated the n --avy , was the most distinguished sove-- ieign the country ever produced. He lived at tb• c c : met,cernent of the presentcentury. He attached s ever , French officers his. promoted three of in service, and h Ceinese them to the rank of Mandarin. The C°°-; n. expedition will be ready to sail in April net . company A letter from Toulon announces that aeived of the 4th Regiment of Marines dewieuciuted liana in the orders to hold themselves ready to ern roceed to Imperial corvette Durance, which is to p China. are a bout Two gunboats, fully equipped for war, to sail fur the same destination. PRUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND. ives The Frankfort Journal of Saturday SWITZERLAND the pre the following news from Berne, dated on vio , u s day (Friday) ; is continually The popular enthusias m ill' , creasing. cc The Swiss Confederation is organising for the defence of the national soil. " Military preparations are actively going U. An appeal has been made to Swiss women to pro vide for the service of the ambulances." A private letter from Berne of the " 24th states that on that day 15,000 troops were placed en echelon. from Basle to Rheinfelden Liestal, and as many from Rheinfelden to Schaffhausen. The Commercial Gazette of Berlin of the 24th says It is rumoured here in well informed circles that the question of Neuchatel will be arranged by a conference, question of that of Paris, and meetiog at Vienna or London, and that Switzer:an widely e admitted to it. We may add that this rumours s disseminated at Vienna. It is alleged that General Dufour has written an other le .ter to the Emperor Napoleon, proposing to submit to the decision of Europe on the question. The general, it is said, asserts that it is not yet too late for negotiations, and that the Federal Council could nut cede before, because it wa , 4 not treated with what it con sidered proper respect. He further says that Prue,ia has not given po•itive assurances as to what she would do with respect to Neuchatel even if the prisoners were set at liberty. Lastly, he says that Switzerland is quite ready to abide by an European d e cision. o f Berlin On the same s ub j ect, the Bourse Gazette which quotes a letter from Vienna of the 22d, states that the Federal Council of Switzerland has confidentially informed the Austrian envoy at Berne that it would willingly yield to the demands of Prussia if recotninended to do so by a collective note of the great powers, provided the latter would, in return, support the interests of Switzerland ill the negotiations to be opened on the subject of the future relations of Switzerland with Neuchatel. e letter states, h a s been favour- This overture, th ab l y re ceived by Austria. We have already mentioned that the canton of V au d had off ered 16 battalions over and aboveits ordinary contingent. Similar offers have been made to the Federal Government from all the other cantons. Permissions and passports to leave tile country havo been everywhere refused to those wile are liable to be called under arms, and the greatest activity is everywhere displayed in order to coin' pieta the war material in the arsenals. —...—•---... • A CO - -_-- ----- The London General Omnibus Company have ae. their establishment a detective department, under the direction of Mr. C. F. Field, late chief inspector of the me tropolitan detective police. The peculations of t he co nductors are stated t o amount to upwards of 30, 0 00/. per annum, a sum almost incredible. THE REv. DR. LIVINGSTON, THE MISSIONARY TOY *TELLER IN SOUTH AFRICA, —.The Lord Mayor 1 1 kindly consented to grant the use of the Egyptian -he on Monday, the sth of January, and toe preside at meeting, for the purpose of offering a tstimonial F, admiration and respect to Dr. Liviugiton, the intreptc' explorer of South Africa.