The Sun. — London, England, 1861-05-23 00:00:00

THEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. L es .tee, Mr. J. B. Backstone. THIS EVENING, the performances will commentae with a new and original Comedy, entitled BLACK SHEEP. Mr. Buekstone. Mr. Compton, Mr. Howe, to ; Mrs. Wilki ns, Mrs. Charles Young, Miss Lovell, &c. Atter which, will be revived, with entirely new scenery and effects, and all the original music by the late Sir Henry Bishop, the melodrama of THE MILL 7. ER AND HIS MEN. Commence at ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-- Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Harris. THIS EVENING, THRICE MARRIED. Messrs. Shore, Meadows, Garden, and Miss C. Leclereq. After which, KING LEAR. King Lear, Mr. Phelps : Edgar, Mr. Edmund Phelps. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. 13. Webster. Reproduction of "The Colleen Bawn. " The Adelphi "Census " every Evening. THIS EVENING, the successful new Farce, entitled A TURKISH BATH. Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. P. Bedford. __ -- After which (187th time), THE COLLEEN HAWN. Mr. D. Boucicault, D. feistier, Billing - ton, Falconer, Stephenson, C. J. Smith, Romer, Howard, Ward ; Mrs. Boucicault, Miss Woolgar, Mrs. Billington, and Mrs. Chatterley. To be followed by a new apropos Sketch, THE CENSUS. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Eburne, Romer, C. J. Smith ; Miss Kate Kelly, Miss E. Thorne, and Mrs. Chatterley. - - - Doors open at half past 6—Commence at 7. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.- T ETIS EVENING, Grand Equestrian performance by M. Boorne's Troupe—Davis Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, &c.—Three Clowns—Three Original Rocky Mountain Won ders, comprising their wonderful performance on the Flying Trapez and Ladder Feat—M. Lauri's New Ballet Troupe. — Reduced Prices.—Commence at half-past 7. Box-office open daily. Private Boxes from 10s. 6d. Day Performance on Saturday at 2 o'clock. CANTERBURY -HALL CONCERTS AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. EVERY EVENING, A Grand Selection from Verdi's new Opera, UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, (First produced in England at this Establishment), With a Chorus of Forty Voices. Also, Verdi's IL CORSARO, never performed at any her Concerts. Solos on the Cornet-a-piston, by Mr. Levy. The Comic Department comprises the Brothers Conrad (in their new and inimitable entertainments), Mr. Wood and his talented little Son, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Hol iingsworth, and Miss Rose Howard. Musical Director, Mr. F. JONGHMANS. T H E F 0 R D, 6, OXFORD-STREET. Mr. LEVY, undoubtedly thp heat nerforrner of the day o the Comet-a-Piston—Grand Selections (on the most complete scale) from Dinorah, Martha, Stradella, &c., and other vocal and instrumental music, by Miss Russell, the Misses Stuart, and Miss Ernst, Messrs. Charles Greville, Fornari. Kimber ley, Bernard, Beaumont, Bervon, Huish, Signor Tivoli, and Mr. Henry Herbert, with full band and powerful and selected chorus, conducted by Mr. F. Jonghmans.—The following Comic talent, Messrs. W. Randall, J. Blanchard, W. H. Wie land, Hollingsworth, E. Marshall, Harvey, and French, and the Brothers Conrad in their latest and best entertainment, every evening. Admission, Hall, sixpence ; Balcony and Stalls, one shilling. Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TRIEI DAY.—Morning, 12h. 27m.—Afternoon, 1212. 56m. To-mouuow.-Morning, lh. 20m.—Afternoon, lh. 48m. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, MAY 23, 1861. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 70—highest since noon yesterday. 58—lowest this morning and during the night. 76—this daY at noon. BAROMETER-30.16. Wiwo—Westerly—light ; with warm sunshiny weather. 1 V .. __Z *,4r --, ,, , ,.-, -) g., , -,.... 1 7.- --, •--;,-.` , - 7{ --t4f c 4g — x•••_, •,,,' ;..4 , -. ll b 1....-- ~..p„.; , ,---7 4 ,,,,, • I f i.:,;,.. _9e ,p ~4. ' r-b fFO( 'f!r THE SUN. LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1881. The intelligence from America still continues to yield hotter and hotter evidence that both sides are in terrible earnest in their warlike movements and preparations. It gives us almost a sense of having a hand in the struggle, the tidings just received in this country that when the last advices left the opposite shores of the Atlantic, the Great Eastern had arrived at her destination, and that already, there at New York, the United States authorities were negotiating either for her purchase out and out, or, at any rate, for her being chartered for im mediate warlike purposes along the southern coast of the Republic, according to the discretion of the Washington Government. It would be an ab surdity for us to affect to regard any such negotia tion with feelings of apathetic indifference. It would be, on the contrary, a source of profound satisfaction to us, if we could hear in a few days more that the arrangements now described as merely upon the card had been brought to a rapid and satisfactory settlement. English enterprise could not very well spare her Sea Mammoth for better purposes than those to which she would be applied at last in real earnest, in obedience to the direction of the vigorous War Department now in augurated at Washington, under Mr. LINCOLN'S calm but resolute Presidency. According to the latest tidings received via Quebec per the Bohemian—it appears that the Virginians had in the early days of this fair month of May taken possession of the heights upon the Maryland bank of the River Potomac, where, when the news left, they were hurriedly throwing up fortifications. The number of secession troopers so engaged is described moreover as considerable. And it was not merely in this one instance that the Virginian secessionists had given recent evidence of their activity and determination. They had shortly before the departure of the Bohemian forcibly taken the steamship William Seldon hitherto plying between Old Point and Norfolk. Meanwhile the Congress at Montgomery is described as by no means idle—energetic arrangements being made under its auspices and at its direct instigation for placing the whole of the Confederate States in an effective condition of defensive preparedness. Already - - - in truth to such good purpose were these measures being adopted and carried out into actual operation, that the Government there had at its command ar tillery enough to send forth properly equipped with ordnance an army of 150,000 men upon a twelve month's campaigning ! Upon the darker side of the picture, however, there are already beginning to loom hints of negro insurrection! It is true that the one reported to have already lit the flame of revolt in Kentucky turns out to have been erroneous : but so far as relates to the preservation of negro subor dination yonder, in those Southern States, it may be already said of the Whites there, and that, moreover, without anything like e xaggera ti on, that they are even now feeling the ground hot under their feet. The pear, in this instance, is not merely ripe, it is long since rotting on the bough ready to be shaken down at the first breath of the approaching storm of battle. Within the confines of their own territorial boundaries, within the very innermost heart of their political institutions, lurks the phantom of their own Nemesis. The despara tion of their position is alone what heartens them now to the showing of a bold front, and, under its influence, they will fight, we doubt not for an instant, right resolutely to the very last. But the blood and sweat of the blacks will glue many a sword in the Confederate army to the scabbard, the curse of an inhuman traffic will palsy many a strong arm, and take the vigour out of many a determined blow. As affording tokens of the activity still displayed in the United States in preparation for the dread ful conflict that can be described no longer as there merely inevitable—the struggle at certain points bein g a l ready, as we know now but too well, even alrea dycommenced—it is rot unwelcome intelligence in this country that when the last advices left New York accounts were in the highest degree satisfac tory as to the more and more resolute attitude as sumed from day to day by the central Government at Washington. The capture of 800 of the Mis souri militiamen forming a part of General FROST'S brigade had signalised at St. Lours the determination of the Federal Volunteers. A storm of stones and hisses, directed by the mob at St. Louis against the Volunteers, having imme diately afterwards drawn down upon the former a fusillade by which, unhappily, about twenty people were destroyed. The passage through Baltimore, by the way, is described as being again perfectly free and uninterr i npted. And not only this—but between Baltimcre and the capital every bridge,with one solitary exception, is said to have been promptly and effectually repaired. To crown the whole of these tidings, it may be estimated that not less than 300,000 volunteers had already placed their services at the command of the United States' Go vernment! But a very little while, now at length, and the result of all these formidable preparations will resound to us from the opposite shores of the At lantic. When—GoD grant that those deathful detonations may soon cease—may cease, as soon as can be within the limits of possibility, after the date of their commencement. Again Parliament meets—shall we say gravely (with a recollection of the last three months 'within our remembrance), for "the despatch of business ?" Meet nominally it does at any rate this evening—as it met at the commencement of the session—for that great national desideratum, " the despatch of busi ness." The Budget Bill—to go into Committee ! That will to night be the proposition of Lord PALMERSTON in the House of Commons as Leader of the House and as First Lord of the Treasury. Opposed to that proposition will come Mr. NEWDZ3ATE'S Aamendment. The following facts, by the way, we cannot but regard as signifi cant of the " darkness visible" of the political at mosphere generally. Namely, that whereas very shortly before the introduction of his Budget Bill by Mr. GLADSTONE—shortIy before the introduc tion into the House of Commons of the whnlp bunch of propositions hung up on the peg of the Paper Duties Abolition by the cunning hand of the Chancellor of the Exchequer—so well had the right hon. gentleman kept his designs exclu sively to himself that Lord PALMERSTON (the Prime Minister, recollect !) had given his authoritative assurance to a deputation then waiting upon him in respect to the subject of the Paper Duties, that there was no prospect whatever that, at least for another year, those duties would be interfered with in any way by her Majesty's. Government. Indica tion, that is, No. 1 of what we have referred to as the prevailing " darkness visible" of the political atmosphere. Now for indication No. 2, deduced not from any observations falling from the lips of the noble Premier, but froni remarks put forth this morning by the recognised organ of his Govern ment. Our contemporary the Morntng Post acknowledges itself to be fairly bewildered even now as to the intentions of her MAJESTY'S Opposition. It says " Mr. NEWDE GATE, with a hardihood that does him no credit if he is acting independently of his party, and which does them no credit if they are acting with him, intends, it is announced, to move an amendment in such terms as will involve the question whether Lord PALMERSTON'S Ministry is or is not to govern the country." At any rate—however put—that is certainly bringing the question in dispute to a definite issue. 'After this next stage has been got through, we cannot much longer have a continued waste of public time by any persistence of these sys- tematic and objectless attempts at procrastination, The Government will now learn in a very few hours what they really and truly have to expect from the side of the Opposition. The former doubtless ima gined that the whole difficulty between them was settled for once and for all this session by that clear majority of—Eighteen. Mr. DISRAELI how ever, would not by any means consent to receive that answer as definitive. Hence the hopes that may be awakened in some minds the least disposed to be sanguine, for the Great Conservative Party and their interests, by the Amendment announced as forthcom ing under the auspices of that very stubborn and per fectly consistent gentleman (we must all admit his consistency) the member for North Warwickshire. If carried in opposition to the Government—the Government, so says the Premier's organ quite plainly, as above indented—.will ut vacs appeal to the Country. In that contin gency the position, in almost every imaginable point of view would certainly be anything but satisfactory. Summer would be close upon us with the Budget stopped—until the turmoil of a General Election could have been scrambled through, when upon the eve of the Dog-days, and not earlier, the real business of the session would have to be commence ! This, with the germs of half a dozen European wars rapidly expanding upon the continent—at the very time when trade and manufactures are threatened with a crisis by reason of the disastrous influence certain `to be exercised as a matter of necessity upon each by the dreadful civil war now agitating, and here and there already actually devastating, the republican States of North America. It is a juncture that is obviously, therefore, re plete, for every thinking man in the three kingdoms, with reasons for the most profound solicitude. The responsibility for this juncture, Ministers 'are manifestly endeavouring to fasten upon the Opposition. A proceeding, howbeit, in every conceivable way most disingenuous. But for the splenetic whims and crotchets of that Master Rhetorician who has for so many years proved for England so disastrous a Financier, wit ness his enormous and hazardous experiments, almost every one of which have been failures, his connivance in precipitate and bungling com mercial negotiations, his successive years of deficit upon deficit—but for Mr. GLADSTONE being yet Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Budget would have been so framed that it would long since have been passed satisfactorily, and not a cloud—anywhere else upon the whole circle of the political horizon—not a cloud as small even as a man's hand—would yet have :been conjured up to blur the sunshine upon the smooth and easy path way,lying at the commencement of the session,before her MAJESTY'S Government. The MARPLOT of the Cabinet, however, has been at his malignant in cantations over his cauldron of The Bndget, and the whole political atmosphere is darkening : and —accordin g e ven Prime Ministe r ' s org to the express avowal of the an —the very existence of the once powerful and popular Palmerston Government is endangered. Shortly before the beginning of these brief Whitsuntide Holidays which have to-clay drawn to their conclusion, the Earl of SHAFTESBURY brought under the consideration of the House of Lords the erroneous statements put forth in regard to the position of the Ragged School system in the United Kingdom, and embodied in their last official report by the Education Commissioners. It was on last Monday week, namely, at the sitting of the Upper House on the evening of the lath instant, that the noble earl whose name we have just mentioned, brought under the consideration of their lordships these truly extraordinary, and in some particulars, wholly incomprehensible mistatements. Although in doing this Lord SHAFTESBURY expressly disa-io wed every intention to imply that the report was " wilfully untrue " in the instances referred to—..“ untrue" he was tcon).-H pelled to pronounce them as a mere matter of fact, his very natural and comprehensible indigna tion under the circumstances constraining him to add also that they were "unfair" and "ungenerous." How untrue, how unfair, how ungenerous the Earl of SHAFTESBURY'S simple contrast between the actual figures themselves and the figures as falsely given in the report of the Commissioners quite plainly indicated immediately afterwards. But when all was said and done, when the noble advo cate of the cause of the very poor, of the very poorest of the poor—the inhabitants of those dreadful regions of squalor where, according to his own powerful phrase, children are not so much born as they are spawned, and where they are afterwards allowed to grow up in an at mosphere reeking with obscenities and blasphemies —when Lord SHAFTESBURY, on Monday week, the 13th of May, had resumed his seat, after proving his case with the lucidity and distinctness of an arithmetical sum—what was the response given by the noble Duke, who rose immediately afterwards in reply, Her MAJESTY'S Secretary of State for the Colonies ? Why, his Grace pronounced a panegyric upon the Education Commissioners ! Now, in every earnest word applied to those Commissioners by his Grace the Duke of NEWCASTLE in the jus tice of every syllable of commendation applied to them by the Colonial Secretary, we cannot, of course, do otherwise than most heartily concur. Yet, at the same time, while allowing, as we doubt not for one instant, Lord SHAFTESBURY himself would allow the reasonableness ;of the application of those cordial words of praise applied by the Duke of NEWCASTLE to the Education Commissioners— still the fact does remain nevertheless that those Education Commissioners, in the course of their last published report, have, we will say, though a serial of blunders very extraordinary and wholly incomprehensible, given to the world, in regard to the Ragged Schools of the United Kingdom, state ments that, as Lord SHAFTESBURY accurately described them to be, are nothing less than—un true, and unfair, and. ungenerous ! Are they not ? Let a very few statistics, selected from a great mass of them, answer pointblank, Yes or No " The Commissioners," said Lord SHAFTESBURY, " stated that the total number of Sunday ragged schools in England and Wales in 1858 was 356, and the number of scholars 23,127 ; that the day ragged schools numbered 192 in England and Wales, with an attendance of 20,909; and that the evening ragged schools amounted to only 14, with an attendance of 707. Now what was the statement which was furnished by the secretary of the Ragged School Union to the commissioners at that time. The Ragged School Union stated that in London alone there were 178 Sunday schools, with an attendance of 23,203 scholars—a larger number in London than the commissioners had stated existed in the whole of England—that there were 178 day ragged schools, with 16,075 scholars ; and the House would mark this, instead of 14 evening ragged schools, with 707 attendants, as stated by the commissioners, there were in London alone no less than 187 even ing ragged schools, with an attendance of 9,465." No wonder the House of Lords here inter rupted the noble earl with applause in recog- L nition of the force of :that counter-statement. But Lord SHAFTESBURY continued, "If the returns could be given for 1861 they would show that there were now 207 Sunday schools, with 25,178 attendants; 151 day ragged schools, with 17,230 attendants ; and 215 evening schools, with an attendance of 9,750." The noble Earl added — "It is a remarable fact that out of 27 counties pos sessing ragged schools the commissioners had omitted 15, stating that they only existed in 12." And again—" Why were certain important returns omitted when they tended to show the magnitude of the system, and statements only given which would tend to show that it was a very inferior organisation ? Why was it that the general con tribution of £5,243, in 1858, was given, and all re ference to the local contributions, which amounted to no less than £31,540, omitted ? The total con tribution" remarked Lord SHAFTESBURY, "surely attested the .tiung reeling of the people in favour of these schools." An individual instance, however, will,:even more clearly than these broad and sweep ing generalities, demonstrate at once conclusively the perfect justice with which the noble earl pro nounced—perhaps we should rather say denounced —the last published report of the Education Commissioners as (in reference, that is, to the status:of the Ragged School:system), "untrue, un fair and ungenerous !" With respect—said Lord SHAFTESBURY on last Monday week, the 13th of May, " With respect to the provinces according to the appendix it would appear that the whole of the day ragged schools in Lancashire was only six, with an attendance of 927. Was that the fact ? In the return, with respect to the county of Lancaster it was stated that there were Sunday ragged schools with attendance, none ; evening ragged schools with attendance, none; industrial ragged schools with attendance, none ; and that there were only six day ragged schools with an attendance of 927 chil dren. Now, what was the real state of the case ? There was a total of 53 schools in Liverpool alone, with an attendance of 6,582 children; and yet the statement . in report of the Commissioners was that there were in that town six schools with an attend ance of 956 children. There might be some satis factory explanation of that statement (he said, in conclusion, in regard to this point), but there was none with which he was in any way acquainted." Indignant though the Earl of SHAFTESBURY was, we acknowledge it, not :in any way unreasonably, speaking as he did, according to Lord GRANYLLE'S avowed opinion, " with such not unnatural warmth" in regard to the misstatements pointed out by him in the official report of the Education Commissioners, we must yet con fess, frankly, that in one sense we cannot but feel in some measure almost grateful to the Commis sioners for those same daring misstatements ! For, monstrous as they are in every respect, have they not served to signalise the triumph of the Ragged School System by the publicity of their disproof in the House of Lords by the earnest voice of the noble-hearted Earl of SHAFTESBURY ? Nay, Lord SHAFTESBURY himself has to thank the Education Commissioners for having, uninten tionally no doubt, but still, though unintentionally, undeniably afforded him in the interests of the Ragged School System an enviable and golden Opportunity. The noble Earl has virtually placed the blundering and rolled-up report of the Educa tion Commissioners trumpet-like to his lips, and, through it, breathed a trumpet-note at once of triumph and of encouragement for the Ragged School System, the sound of which will not soon die out of the popular recollection. Blondin, of Niagara celebrity, has arrived at Southampton this morning from New York. CLOSING OF FETTER-LANE.—Yegterday the traffic through Fetter -lane was suspended by order of the Lord Mayor, for the purpose of the roadway being repaved. The closing of this thoroughfare is most inconvenient to omni bus proprietors, carmen, and drivers of other vehicles, it being the main connecting link between Fleet-street and the railway termini in the northern districts ; the route by way of Farringdon-street occasioning much delay owing to the steep ascent of Holborn-hill. In order that the work may be completed with the least possible delay, extra work wen have been ongaged by the contractor, BANK OF ENGLAND DISCOUNTS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN SIR,—It; cannot be doubted that the value of money ini luences the great transactions of the world, the refore the rise and fall in that value, as indicated 1,37 the rate of discount, must be interest ing not on ly to the financier, tha merchant, and the manufactu firer, but indirectly to all classes of the community, by causing an increase or decrease in the price 4)f all commodities. For the information of your r eaders I beg to annex the copy of a return which I have prepared and inserted in the sth Edition of my " Popular Tables," only adding the facts published in the London Gazette of last night.—l remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, CHARLES M. WILLICH. Actuary, University Lire Assurance Society 25, Suffolk-street, Pall-mall, S.W., 18th May, 1861. The following table shows the Ilterations in Bank Dis counts from 1858 to 1861, with the amount of Bank notes issued, and of bullion held, at the respective periods :—also the average price of wheat in each year, and the price of 3 per Cent. Stock on the days of change : C..ag Ca , 1 00 NI Ca C.ll 61 CA sr sl4. ri. C7t Fp. IP WN W C sr. sr sr our 4, co p to c, Pc eo ;I e 4 : 7.4.,. , ~,. t i l o l Average Price of Wheat. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 23, 1861 IP o g k° Chinese War. .... ... 1 , I m m M . N . V ti 1 1 1 P W >A t , CA t C . 7 , ›W LI e...1W I e. ^m P P C:JP, p, ~..,.. 1.., .... 1 N... .1... W...... ......m.-.1-. . I m.4.....0.../...c./TwM.0....040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.. A 1.4 1.6 "...p IDD :10 - 0 rA U 0 HIV V~IV 0- , 8 c, or, co cooococ...Qp - to C , CA • -44,9.1 -.1-. 4. 4. u , u , co c>, G. Ca 00 CO V N QPIO coN 0094 00 O o N CA Ca NN I. CO`. CIO tO NIV is, 6. N 2 , ..0 z.O 4 ,, 19 to to bo O GIGO e. p 0 cocoo e, CA tD <= 9.00014. ogo 441....0 . 1010 VT 19 C. 71 OVT VT 019CO7GO0VTN 00 0 VT 00 Z+, 1 , 020 .0 ID co oo Ot tJ i 0 0 Ni p 00 WOO 01 Z., co alSo N, VT 00 00 0 COCA 0 0 VT 0 VT 0 O 4 OO 4- CT CA 00 <T> W P.P W <OCO erg p -a 141. mCO t 0 4. Op ts, 00 10.00 0 0 0 0 C - 4 .9° C 4 .4. oo w w woo w 0 t CA 06 0 1,1 CO "4 OIACO CV 6, 7,:74 1 , 05. P. OCA CA 00CACA CA CJV 0 CA 00CACA CA OC.A CA CA 00 CA N NNNNN N NNNNNNNN N W WWW W S. PP .:"- 1 S. 000 cll.. IJeC r 4. C..30 , ,bb0 " -alnO 0 . GI4,I¢DN , I I-. C. CD c*Cta.009.. , ...54.^1.C0z t p op op 4...? , ip rapo : A ex 00 o. GO i•-• to 00 i•-• Crw CAOOOCa ere o en o 0 0 0 o , 0 LETTERS OF MARQUE. The following communication on the subject of letters of marque suggests points on which all the principal merchants conneeted with America are anxious to obtain some definite view : " May 22, 1861. " Sir,—The commercial community is at present in the greatest uncertainty as to the consequences resulting from the British Government having decided to concede to the Southern Confederacy of North America the rights of belligerents. A vague impression seems to prevail that Southern privateers would have to bring their prizes into a port of one of the seceded States in order to get them legally condemned, and it is generally concluded that, as the United States' navy is about to establish a close blockade of all Southern ports, privateers, even if they succeeded in eluding the blockading vessels and in getting to sea, would find it next to impos sible to bring their prizes into a port for condemna tion. " The best legal authorities on this subject seem, however, to establish clearly that captains can bring their prizes into neutral ports and have them con demned—while lying in such neutral ports—by prize courts sitting in the captor's country. " I find the following in Arnould on Marine In surance and Averages, vol. 1, p. 676 : " It was for some time supposed that a prize court, though sitting in the country of the captors, had no jurisdiction over prizes lying in a neutral port, and Lord Stowell in one ease seems to have acted on this principle. Subsequently, however, though he still admitted the correctness of the principle, yet he felt himself bound by the contrary practice which had for so long a period prevailed ; and acted upon the rule which is now definitively settled and sanctioned—viz., that the condemnation by a court of captors sitting in the country of the captors upon prizes carried into a neutral port, and remaining there, is valid by the general usage of nations. There can be no doubt, and, in fact, it has been so decided, that a belligerent prize court sitting in its own country has lurisdic tinn to oondetna as prize captured ships brought into the ports of an ally.' " Further, vol. 1, page 678, sec. 244, the proposi• tion is : " ' That the sentence of a foreign Court of Ad miralty on questions of prize is conclusive evidence in our Court upon all points within its jurisdiction, and upon which the sentence on the face of it pro fesses to decide, but upon none ether.' " And again, vol. 2, page 834 : " ' And the condemnation, in order to be legal, must be pronounced by aprize court of the Govern ment of the captor, sitting either in the country of the captor or of his ally. The prize court of an ally cannot condemn, nor can a prize court of the cap tors lawfully act as such in a neutral territory; but the prize court of a captor sitting in the country of his own Sovereign or of an asly has lawful juris diction over prizes carried int) neutral ports, and remaining there at the time of'passing sentence.— " Smart v. 'Wolfe" (3 T. Rep. 283). " Schooner Sophie" (6 Rob. Ad. Rep., 138 in notes).' " Also in Charles, Lord Teiterden, revised by Sergeant Shee, " On Merchant Ships and Seameu," page 20 21 a : " The doctrine of the British Courts proceeds, as it is at once seen, not so much upon its supposed correctness as upon the general usage of nations, and particularly of Great Britain. The question has been argued upon principle in the Supreme Court of the United States, and, after elaborate dis cussion, it has been finally adjudged that a condem nation of prize property while lying in a neutral port, or in the port of an ally, is valid, and may be rightfully proceeded in by the emits of the captors. —" Hudson v. Gnestier," 4 Cranci. Rep. 293, S.C. ; 6 Crunch. 281 ; "The Arabella and Madeira," 2 Gall. Rep. 368; Story; note to American edition, p. 16.' " From these extracts it would seem that, as the law stands now, a privateer with lAters of marque issued by Mr. Jefferson Davis ma 3 take his prize into any British or other neutral p.rt—say, in the West Indies, in the Pacific, or in Etropean waters, and, while lying there, have her legilly condemned by a prize court sitting in Charleston, New Orleans, or Mobile, the sentence of such court being virtu ally binding upon our courts. "My object in claiming space for these remarks is to elicit some decided and competent opinion as to the real state of the law respecting this very im portant subject, and either to allay vague fears, or show clearly the dangers we may have to guard against.—l remain, sir, your most obedient servant, " FREDERICK. LEHMANN, (Firm of Na t Vickers, and Co.)" On Monday last a performance of music of a very high order was given in Messrs. Collard's concert-room, at their establishment in Grosvenor street. Madame Wartel, the ce!ebrated pianiste, gave the concert to a select circle, who were much gratified by the musical treat afforded them. Among the vocalists were Miss Wilkinson, a young performer of great promise; Madame Rieder, whose rendering of the famous " Shadow Song" was warmly applauded; and Mr. Patey, who gave Wallace's fine song of " The Bellringer" with spirit and effect. The instrumental performances were of a very high character. Beethoven's trio in C minor for the piano, the violin, and the violon cello, was admirably played by Madame Wartel, Messrs. Poznaustri and Ould. M. Pozaanstri was much applauded in a solo for the violin of Vieuxtemp's composition. M. Paque gave Schubert's serenade for the violon cello with wonderful skill and expression. There were many other instrumental pieces of merit, pro minent among them being Madame Wartel's per formance of Mozart's Sonata in A Minor, which displayed her brilliant execution to full advantage. We are glad to find that Madame Wartel proposes to give a public concert at the same rooms on Mon-, day, June 3, wh en some o f our pr i nc i pa l per f ormers, vocal and instrumental, will assist. We advise all who appreciate really excellent music adequately rendered, to secure this opportunity of hearing it. L3rl ENT NE WS• THE AMFRICAN WAR. SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 23. The Bremen arrived here this morning. She left New York on the 11th inst. She brings 246 passengers, of whom 17 are for England, and 4,500 doll for England. NEW YORK, MAY 11. The forward movement of national troops on Baltimore has commenced. Large bodies of troops from the South are also advancing into Virginia. Senator Wigfall has announced that 100,000 Southerners are on their way to Washington, and that President Lincoln and his Cabinet willbe cap tured unless they retreat before the middle of June. Active preparations are going on in all the Northern States, and troops from every point are advancing in the direction of Washington. The Executive at Washington are actively pre paring for the emergency. Western Virginia holds out strong against seces- sion. Some soldiers of the national army have surren dered to the rebels in Texas, and Colonel Waite is also in their hands as a prisoner of war. The North-Western States are very firm and loyal to the Federal Government. An Associated Press despatch states that a slave insurrection had taken place at Frankfort, Ken tucky, and that 400 armed negroes were committing depredations. They were supposed to be led by whites. Assistance had been telegraphed for from Indiana. The Militia Company of St. Louis having been supposed to be hostile to the Federal Government, has been disarmed by Federal forces. The mob fired on the Federal troops, who returned the fire, killing 20 of the populace, including two women and several children. The Maryland Legislative Committee have adopted resolutions condemning the Federal uolicy, but recognising their obligations to the Union, and requesting the President to cease the war until Congress assembles. The cutter Harriet Lane has captured a privateer. The Governor of Kentucky has issued a procla mation calling for a convention of the people to declare for or against the Union. The latest advices from Fort Pickens state that six Federal war vessels were off the fort. The seces sionists were preparing for an attack. A convention has been called in Western Vir. ginia to form a separate State and join the Union A ship has arrived in New York from Bermuda on the 2d inst., and reports passing the frigate St. George, with Prince Alfred on board, entering Bermuda. NEW YORK, MAY 10. (Per Bohemian, via Quebec, Father Point, and Londonderry.) The Virginians have taken possession of the heights on the Maryland side of the river Potomac, and are engaged in fortifying them. A number of Secession troops are there. The Virginians have also seized the steamer William Seldon, which communicated between Old Point and Norfolk. A private letter states that the Confederate troops at Harper's Ferry are badly provided with arms and provisions. The Montgomery Congress is understood to be making arrangements in secret session for the vigorous prosecution of the war, and for placing the Confederacy in the best condition of defence. It is stated that it has sufficient ordnance, &c., at its disposal to put 150,000 men into the field for a year's campaign. The Pennsylvania Legislature has passda bill for a loan of 4,000,000 dols., and 15 additional regi ments beyond what the President has called for. The steamer Pembroke has left Boston with re inforcements for Fort Monroe. All the bridges .ynept one have lit repaired be tween Baltimore and Washington. Upwards of 400 vessels of the fishing fleet have passed Father Point. (LATEST BY TELEGRAPH TO FATHER POINT.) NEW YORK, MAY 11. The Great Eastern is now lying below New York. The Government is in treaty for employing her as a transport ship. General Frost's brigade of Missouri Militia, num bering 800 men, has been captured near St. Louis by Federal volunteers. On arriving at St. Louis the mob threw stones at the volunteers, who thereupon fired, killing about 20 people. The passage through Baltimore is now free. The rumour of a negro insurrection in Kentucky is said to have been unfounded. It is calculated that 300,000 volunteers have offered their services to the Federal Government. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, May 11. Stocks dull. Illinois, 64/ ; Erie, 21 ; 1. Exchange on London, 1041 to 106. Cotton firm. Middling Upland, 14c. to 14/c. Flour tending downwards. Wheat steady; corn lower, but closed steady. The Africa has arrived out. NEW ORLEANS, May 10. Cotton nominal, with middling at 11c. PARIS, MAY 23. A despatch received here from Constantinople, dated the 22d inst., announces that on the previous day the International Commission held their first sitting:at the residence of the Marquis de Lavalette, the French Ambassador. TURIN, MAY 22. Prince Carignan and the Chevalier di Nigra have arrived here. MILAN, MAY 22. Some agitation still prevails in this city. The demonstrations, originating in religious dis sensions, assumed a subversive character. The mob were about to attack a liqueur manu factory, but the National Guard and the troops re-established order. WEDNESDAY EVENING. The city is now quiet. MAY 23. The Perseveranza of today gives a formal denial to the statements of some Italian journals that Count Teleki, shortly before he committed suicide, received a letter from Kossuth, informing him that the foreign Cabinets were little disposed to support the movement in Hungary. PESTH, THURSDAY• The collection of the arrears of taxes by military execution is to be suspended, the Hungarian Diet having intimated its intention of provisionally covering the amount due until the question of the taxes has been settled. NAPLES, MAY 22. A proclamation of Prince Carignan has been published, in which he mentions the reforms he has carried out, and thanks the people and the National Guard for their co-operation. M. Ponza di San Martino,the new Lieutenant of the King, has also issued a proclamation, express ing his intention to gbvern with power, energy, and unity of action. He declares that all loyal citizens are in favour of the union of the Italian peoples. He requests the support of the country, and promises improvements in the public services. PARIS, MAY 22. Prince Napoleon has been elected Grand Master of the Freemasons of France, in the place of Prince Murat. ST. PETERSBURG, MAY 22. The death of .Prince Orloff, President of the Council of Ministers, is announced. THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. MALTA, MAY 21. The Vectis, with the above mails, leaves at mid night for Marseilles. The Pera, with the heavy portion of the mails, leaves at 10 p.m. She may be expected at South ampton on the 30th inst. THE OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL. The Ellora (from Southampton 12th May) reached Malta on•the evening of the 21st, and was to leave the next morning for Alexandria. BOURSE, May 22.—Offers for realisation have caused a slight retrograde movement; business, however, being limited. Threes, for the Account, declined from 69f 50c to 69f 40c. Railway Share market heavy. The following were the last quotations : ft per per Cents 96 20 1 Credit Foncier .... 990 Do end month 96 30 Belgian V- 9Bl 3 per Cents Dn. end month 69 35 Roman Bank Shares . 2890 Austrian Credit Mobilier.... 705 Spanish Threes 5O -- Do. Account 707 50 } Home Debt .. 49 25 RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1357 50 .. 1360 Northern New ditto 897 50 .. 895 Lyons and Mediterranean 935 .. 937 50 Geneva.. 425 .. 425 Southern 575 .. 576 25 Western Eastern .... Sardinian Austrian Lorrbard 502 _5O .. 503 75 CHINA. The Moniteur de l' Armee publishes a letter from Shanghai to the 22d March, which furnishes the following details :—" The Imperial Almanack of China for 1861 appeared as usual at Pekin in the beginning of the present month. It consists of twelve thick volumes, and in addition to the names of all the officials of the Chinese Government, gives a summary of the events which have taken place during the past year. For the first time, foreign ers are spoken of in respectful terms, and the text of different treaties concluded with them given. Military events are not passed over in silence, but are explained in a very whimsical manner. It is stated that the foreign ambassadors, being accompanied by a numerous guard of honour, misunderstandings had arisen between the soldiers of that escort and those of the Chinese army, but that difficulties had been arranged by the devoted ness of the chiefs of the Government. The Emperor is still at Tching-Te Cheou, a city more commonly known by the name of Jehol, about 150 kilometres Uths of a mile each) from Pekin. He there possesses a magnificent summer palace, built in 1703, in the midst of an immense forest, where the Court have grand hunting parties in the summer season. The Palace of Jehol is much finer than that which was destroyed during the late war. Its gardens are 15 kilometres in cir cumference, and in them is the magnificent temple of Pou-Tho-Tsoung-Ching-Miao, built in 1770, and containing 500 statues in gilt bronze. They represent the Lamas who died in the odour of sanctity, and are in the same constrained and pain ful attitudes which they had imposed on themselves during their lives, and to which circumstance they owe their canonisation. The Emperor intends to return to Pekin on the 6th April, and his entrance into that capital will take place with great pomp. Prince Kong, his brother, is to go out to meet him as far as Hach Kiang, a large village 25 kilo metres from Pekin. The situation of Shanghai still remains the same. The rebels continue advancing towards the West, ravaging the country as they pass. On the frontier of Kiang-Sou they destroyed a convent of Bonzesses, and subjected its inmates to the most horrible treatment, The general idea is, however, that they cannot march on the capital, as the Imperial troops occupy very strong positions, defended by a numerous artillery, and whi::h the rebels could not venture to attack. The works of the cathedral of Shanghai, which is being con structed on the ground conceded to France, are going on with great activity, and hopes are enter tained that the building may be inaugurated on the fete day of the Emperor Napoleon, when a grand religious ceremony will take place," 1 1 THE AMERICAN WAR. A NEW MAP. By James Wyld. Another —decidedly the finest map, of the seat of war in America, yet published—has, within the last few hours, been issued simultaneously from Mr. Wyld's three large geographical establishments —The Great Globe, 457, Strand, and 2, Royal Exchange. It will very speedily, we doubt not, be decorating the walls of many hundreds of literary and commercial apartments. It is so complete, indeed, in many respects as to be almost indispen sable in many great commercial houses, as a broad sheet presenting to view in one comprehensive or compendious from the whole sweep of those noble provinces now given up for an indefinite period to the horrors of civil conflict—and (worse than that) threatened, frightfully to the South, with the additional terrors of the servile war that must there almost inevitably supervene. Nothing can be more distinct or bold than the lines of demarcation, not only between the Free States of the North and the Slave States of the South, but between the various integral portions, on the one hand, of the Confederate States and the United States, as the latter are still called in the Message commented upon by ourselves only yesterday—the Message addressed to his Provisional Congress by Mr. Lincoln's rival, the Slavery Presi dent. Besides the body of the military map, occu pying the bulk of this important and attractive publication—defining, as we have said, the Northern (United) States and the Southern (Confederate) States, with the forts, harbours, arsenals, and mili tary stations all clearly indicated —there are in addition to all the ordinary information to be looked for in an issue of this description, three supplemen tary Plans, the nature of which we shall imme diately intimate, and together with these an admi rably well thought of sketch of the country around Washington.' As to the Plans—one gives us a clever outline of the capital just mentioned (Wash ington), and with it of the adjoinin g districts of ano ther, Charleston and it s h ar b our, Pensacola Bay and its F or tifi ca ti ons . _Co a l u n m o t b h i e a r — , Very poss ibly —but still we cannot but thi n k no t very probably —Mr. Wyld may perehance even yet, after the lapse of some little time, issue from the press yet another map of the American Republic so far surpassing all his previous efforts in that way as to render even this map, his latest popular masterpiece, a thing passed or rather sur-passed. Mr. Wyld has in this fashion so often before eclipsed his own earlier achievements by others of a still more re markable kind in their excellence, that, we repeat, it is even now possible that he may yet induce us to look upon this really brilliant map as subordinate to some still more recent publication. It is possible —yes—but, impro bable. And therefore while we can yet do so, w e hesitate not to point out this par ticular map of the seat of war in America as the best of all the popular maps of its kind that has (up to this time) made ics appearance. 7HE PENINSULAR MAILS. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam ship Tagus, Captain W. B. Hall, with mails from Lisbon of the 17th inst., and from Oporto and Vigo of the 18th, in charge of Commander Williams, R.N., naval mail agent, arrived at Southampton yesterday at 9 a.m. She brought 56 passengers, of whom 39 were first-class, 7 second, 2 children, and S deck, including Count and Lady Rowentham, Capt. Sandiman, Capt. Creatis, Capt. Grant, and Capt. Anarade. On freight she had £2,990 in specie, 268 boxes of eggs, 359 half chests and 73 boxes oranges, 690 boxes of potatoes, and 22 packages of sundries. From Lisbon to Vigo the Tagus had light vari able airs and calms, with fine weather ; across the bay fresh gales from the E.N.N., and fine clear weather ; and from Ushant to Southampton light breeze from the W.N.W., with fine clear weather. At 9 a.m. on the 21st the Tagus passed the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Ceylon, with the outward India and China mails. When the Tagus left Lisbon on the 17th, there were no foreign vessels of war in the river. The Portuguese screw corvette Bartholomew Diaz, with the Due du Oporto, arrived at Lisbon on the 13th, from Cadiz. The King of Portugal was to open the New Cortes on the 20th inst. The Government, relying upon its majority in the New House of Deputies, bat fearing a reverse in the Upper House, had proposed to the King the nomination of a batch of Peers, which was said to include M. Avila, the Minister of Finance, and other Ministerialists. The King's decision was doubtful. Lisbon exchanges for three months were quoted this mail—London, 53k ; Paris, 528 ; Amsterdam, 421; Hamburg, 471 , Genoa, 525 ; Portuguese Three per Cent. Stock Registered, 47 to 471 ; De ferred, 40 to 401 ; Bank of Portugal shares, 17/ to 18 per cent. premium ; Bank of Oporto shares, 28 to 30 per cent. premium. Her Majesty's ship Gladiator left Lisbon for the coast of Africa on the 12th inst. The Royal Mail Company's steamer Oneida, hence on the 9th inst., with the Brazil mails, ar rived at Lisbon on the 12th, and proceeded on her voyage. Baron Forester was drowned in the river Douro on the 13th inst., with a male and female atten dant, the boat in which they were being upset in the rapids. The Tagus will leave Southampton again with the outward mails for the above-named ports on Monday next, the 27th inst. DISCOUNTS UP AGAIN. Discounts up again to 6 per cent. with a strong suspicion that they may rise still higher. Are we to have another three months of 8 per cent. ? How long will our mercantile men submit to this usuri ous extortion ? It all comes of confounding foreign with home trade. Exchequer notes for one pound would facilitate internal barter, and liberate gold for foreign exchanges. That the foreigner would not take these notes is true enough and so much. the better. What we want is a money to pay wages and debts in, which the foreigner would not take. P.S.—The people here are apathetic enough, and it seems the same with you in London. J. H., Liverpool. ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. The Royal Botanic Society held their first fete yesterday, under unusually favourable auspices; the clouds, which had threatened in the morning, clearing away as the day advanced and giving place to a charming afternoon. We have rarely witnessed a more numerous assemblage of rank and fashion, or a more splendid exhibition of flowers. The roses were particularly fine and well grown, and the azaleas and pelargoniums were magnifi cently flowered. In such a large collection of beautiful and curious plants it would be impossible to particularise all that deserved notice, but we must not omit to mention a very beautiful double petunia, with flowers nearly as large as a d a hli a , and a pretty new seedling, having a white ground with a stripe of colour along the centre of the petals forming a cross. A curious new plant from Manila was very minutely examined. It looked more like patches of a green substance stuck on a board than any thing. else. The bands of the Ist and 2d Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards were in attendance and played during the afternoon. The following is the list of prizes : EXTRA. GOLD MEDAL.-16 stove and green-house plants, Mr. May, gardener to Josiah Spode, Esq., Hawyard Park, Rugby, Staffordshire ; 20 exotic orchids, Mr. R. Stone, gardener to J. Day, Esq., Tottenham. Lana n GOLD MEI,AL.-•-16 stove and green-house plants, Mr. B. Peed, gardener to T. Treadwell, Esq., St. John's Lodge, Lower Norwood; 20 exotic orchids, Mr. B. Peed, gardener to Mr. T. Treadwell. MEDIUM GOLD MEDAL..-16 stove and green-house plants, Mr. Kale ' gardener to Earl Lovel a c e , E as t H ors l ey Towers, Ripley, Surrey ; 12 stove and green-house plants, Messrs. J. and J. Fraser, nurserymen, Leyton, Essex ; 10 stove and green-house plants, Mr. John Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart„ Lower Cheam, Surrey ; 10 green-house azaleas, Mr. C. Turner, nurseryman, Slough; 8 green-house azaleas, Mr. J. Green; 12 exotic orchids, Mr. Millford, gardener to E. M'Morland, Esq., 29, Adelaide-road, Haverstock-hill ;10 roses in pots, Messrs. Lane and Son, nurserymen, Great Berkhamstead. GOLD MEDAL.-12 stove and green-house plants, Mr. W. Cutbush, nurseryman, Herts; 10 stove and green house plants, Mr. H. Chilman, gardener to Mrs. Smith, Ashstead, Surrey; 10 Cape heaths, Mr. T. Jackson, nur seryman, Kingston, Surrey ; 8 Cape heaths, Mr. B. Peed, gardener to T. Treadwell, Esq. ; 10 green-house azaleas, Messrs. J. and J. Fraser, nurserymen ; 8 green-house azaleas, Mr. Carson, gardener to J. C. Sim, Esq., Nonsuch Park, Surrey; 10 exotic orchids, Mr. J. H. Bunny, nur. seryman, Stratford, Essex; 12 exo ti c orc hid s, Mr. T. Page, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq. ; 12 pelargoniums, Mr. Turner, nurseryman, Slough; 10 pelargoniums, Mr. Ney, gardener to E. Foster, Esq., Clewer Manor ; 10 roses in pots, Mr. Francis, nurseryman, Hertford. LARGE SILVER GILT MEDAL.-12 stove and green-house plants, Mr. 0. Rhodes, nurseryman, Lydham-park, Surrey; 6 stove and green-house plants, Mr. T. Page, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq., Park-hill, Streatham ;10 Cape heaths, Mr. 0. Rhodes, nurser y man ; 8 C ape h ea th s , Mr. R. Baxm dine, gardener to W. H. Smallpiece, Esq., Millmead House, Guildford; 8 green-house azaleas, Mr. T. Pa e, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq. ; 6 green-house azaleas, Mr. Turner, nur seryman ; 10 exotic orchids, Mr. S. Woolley, nurseryman, Cheshunt; 6 exotic orchids, Mr. W. May, gardener to Josiah Spode, Esq. ; 12 pelargoniums, Messrs. Dobson and Son, nurserymen, Isleworth ; 10 pelargoniums, Mr. T. Bailey, gardener to T. T. Drake, Esq., Sh ardeloes, Amer sham, Bucks ; 10 roses in pots, Mr. W. P aul, nurseryman, Waltham-cross, Cheshunt; 6 r oses i n pots, Mr. Terry, gardener to C. W. Puller, Esq., YoungsbluT, Herts. TRADE WITH NORTH AMERICA. As our commercial relations with the late United States are just now a matter of considerable inte rest, it may be worth while to note the advance and fluctuations of our trade with Brother Jonathan since 1845, This is done in the subjoined table of the declared real value of British and Irish pro duce exported from the United Kingdom to the ,:1118-3,40. Y lB e s a 4 r. ''''' 1845 '''' £7, 142,8 39 1853 ' £23 658 427 1846 States a since 184 A 5 6 21,410,369 1817 .. 10,974,161 1855 1848 1849 1850 ........ 14,891,961 1858 .. 14 , 491 , 448 1851 ........ 14,362 976 1859 1852 ........ 16,567,737 1860 These figures sho w an annua l average o f £11 ,583,269 in the first eight years, and £20,243,611 in the second, being an increase of rather more than 75 per cent. The returns, however, exhibit an unusual degree of fluctuation, such as might be expected to result from the feverish tendencies of Yankee com merce. Our transactions with our own possessions in North America are of a more quiet character, and show a less rapid rate of progress. This will be seen by the annexed statement of our exports to British America since 1845 : Year. Amount. Year. Amount. 1845 1846 • 3,308,059 1854 1847 1848 18 49 1850 1851 ........ 3 813 707 1859 1852 ........ 465 ; 364 1860 The annual average in the first period was £3,059,669, and in the second £4,088,477, present ing an increase of about 33 per cent. This result may possibly excite some surprise, but on the whole it is not astonishing, considering the more rapid growth of population in the States, which re ceived in the 16 ,years 2,408,935 emigrant s f rom th e United Kingdom, while the North A mer i can colo nies only obtained in the same time 525,600. Pos sibly the events now transpiring in the States may put a very different complexion on their future career—at any rate, for the next 10 or 20 years. A QUAKER'S SENTIMENT, AND A VERY PROPER ONE, Too.—" May the next news soma the Atlantic gp,y91,1,T still 19r9 Q tot) PaciAc i"—„effnc4,