The Sun. — London, England, 1861-03-04 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THU DAY.—Morning, Oh. 56m.—Afternoon, 7h. 23m. To-monnow.-Moming, 7h. 54m.—Afternoon, Bh. 44m. i)OY AL ENGLISH OPERA , u COVENT-GARDEN. Under the Management on of Miss Lessees Sole Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Hris, . THIS EVENING, TROVATO ,E. Madame Palmieri, Miss Leffler, Mr. Henry Haigh , A. Lawrence, T. Distin, and Lyall. To conclude with the Second and Third Acts of LE DOMINO NOIR. Miss Louisa 'yne, Miss Thirlwall, Miss Leffler ; Messrs. Henry Haigh, H. ....VIII, A. St. Albyn, and Horncastle. Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon. Commence at 8. rl EA TR g!,-It() Y AL, HAYMARKET. Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buokstone. THIS EVENINO, the nertormances will eommenee with SUE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Miss Ef ardcastle, by Miss Fanny Stirling ; Tony Lnmpkin, by Mr. Bnckstone. After which, a new Pantomime, QUEEN LADYBIRD AND HER CHILDREN. The Pantomimists by the un rivalled Leclercqs, Herr Cole, and Fanny Wright. Commence at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- 1 _ 1) Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Harris. THIS EVENING, the Farce of SUSAN SMITH. To be followed by DON CESAR DE BAZAN. Don Caesar, Mr. Fechter. Supported by Messrs. Basil Potter. F. Matthews, J. G. Shore, Miss M. Harris, Miss C. Leclercq and Mrs. Weston. IF To conclnde with a comic ballet, THE JOLLY 'MILLER. M. Etipinosa, Mr. Garden, &c. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM. Sore Lessee and Directress, Madame CELESTE. ' THIS EVENING the Butletta of T lAT RASCAL, JACK. Followed by the new drama, THE HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE OF NOTRE DAME. Principal characters by Mr. G. Vining, Mr. J. Johnstone, Mr. Villiers, Mr. Clifford, Mr. John Rouse, Mr. Forrester, Mr. Morris ; Miss M.Ternan, Miss K. Saville, Miss L. Thompson, and Madame Celeste. After which, the Lyceum Christmas Comic Extravaganza, CRYSTABELLE ; or, The Rose without a Thorn, showing THE VISION OF A ROSE, ITS FADING AT EVE AND THE MAY-BLOOM OF THE WILD BRIAR. A DELPHI, NEW THEATRE-ROYAL. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Beni. Webster. TILTS ETENING, AN UGLY CUSTOMER. Messrs. J. L. Toole, C. Selby, and Warde ; Miss B. Kelly, and Miss E. Thorne. Alter which, THE COLLEEN BAWN. D. Boneicault, D. Fisher, Billington, Falconer, Stephenson, C. J. Smith, Romer. Miss Agnes Robertson, Miss Woolgar, Mrs. and Mrs. Chatterley. To conclude with a new Burlesique Extravaganza, entitled BLUE BEARD FROM A NEW POM OF HUE. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, C. J. Smith ; Miss Woolgar, K. Kelly, Laidlaw, and i. Thorne. Doors open at half put 6—Commence at 7. Box-office open from 10 till 5. No charge for booking.. Private boxes, £2 28. ; Family Boxes, £l. Orchestra Stalls, 58. • Balcony, 4s. ; Front Circle Stalls, $5 . ; Pit Stalls, 2s. ; Pit, Is. 6d. ; Amphitheatre, is ; Gallery, &L Acting lifanszer—kr. Wm. Smith. CANTERBURY -HALL CONCERTS!! Westminster-road. ProprietOr........C. Morton. A Grand Selection from Verdi's new Opera, IL CORSARO, (This opera has never been produced In this or any other country, except at these Concerts), having met with that de cided success which charactise the most popular works of this gr.'at Master, will be performed EVERY EVENING ; t ether with a Selection from LA FIGLIA DEL REGGI th:NTO,ocr by Donizetti, Principal Artistes—Miss Russell, Madame Maria, Miss Tyrrell, Mr. H. Herbert, Signor Tivoli, H. Drummond, and C. W. Bernard. Director, Mr. F. Jonghm ins. The Comic Department comprises Messrs. E. Marshall, A. B. Hollingsworth, J. Blanchard, F. Bell, W. H. Welland, and the Brothers Conrad. John Martin's Three celebrated Pictures will remain on view a short time longer in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Establishment. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS In consequence of its Great Success, THE ENCHANTED HASH EVERY EVENING, The whole of the Characters by Messrs. E. MARSUALL and F. BELL. LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1861 THB WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, MARCH 3, 1861. THEEMOXRTER, IN TYR BRADY, 50—highest since noon yesterday. 44 —lowest this morning and during the night. 51—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.62 ; a sudden fall. WlND—Westerly—blowing a gale, with heavy squalls . It was very stormy in the night. MARCH 4. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADY. 53—highest since noon yesterday. 37—lowest this morning and during the night. 44—this day at noon. Benomrrnn-30.08 ; a sudden rise. WlND—North-Westerly fresh ; with fine sunshiny weather. The weather has been very boisterous for the last two days. 1. P„,4 ' olli - • '" - 1 k44.: \ u ~ g L _ r • ~,r . ~ ` _~ ~~~k (1 t~l'` Tft E SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1861. It may yet prove that this recent emeute has been nothing less than the spark to light the long expected European conflagration. The whole continent of Europe, or at any rate, a very con siderable portion of it, has long been known, nay, even felt to be but one vast Mass of combustibles. Hungary, Poland, Italy, Schleswig-Holstein, Mol. do-Wallachia, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, any one of these points we have long been conscious might at any moment, under any chance combin ation of circumstances, burst into a flame. Separ ately or collectively, they might be a blaze at any instant of time—involving contiguous states in war either in rapid sequence or simultaneously. A life and death struggle has for years past been visibly impending over the Viennese Government. The sick man at Constantinople has not been less visibly, or during any briefer interval, lying extended upon his death bed at Constantinople. It is not without such contingency of a general war constantly be fore him, that the most daring and the least scrupulous ruler of this age has been syste matically multiplying his forces, both by land and by sea, through all this lengthened period of seemingly permanent but really hollow tranquillity ! Multiplying those originally ample and enormous forces of his so sedulously, in spite of his wily axiom l'Empire c'est la paix, that the army now constantly ready at. his command numbers in all not less than 600,000 of the most disciplined troops in the world! While the navy—built in those dockyards and equipped from those arsenals which are ever ringing through the bland refrain of " Peace," ever ringing louder and louder with the busy note of preparation—while the imperial navy of France, we say, under the reign of NAPOLEON 111. has already obtained an emi nence in every respect, except that derivable from the actual prestige of victory, second only to that of Fugland ! It is not, we repeat, without al Eye to the Future that France long notorious as the most aggressive of all the nations of the earth, has been thus carefully husbanding her strength, and arming, arming, arming as though the confederated powers of Europe were again mustering their forces along her frontiers, as though she were again threatened with invasion by another Brunswick Manifesto, and as though DANTON and his brother revolutionists were again summoning the Gallic soldiery to rise for another and, if possible, deadlier war of extermination. It is not yesterday that these and other probable sources of, or excuses for,' a collision have been recognised and appreciated by the more intelligent and dispassionate throng of Europeans watching the progress of events in the character purely and simply of spectators. The unification of Italy the dismemberment of Austria—the dis solution of Turkey—the settlement at last of one little problematic difficulty after another, either wholly apart from, or indirectly connected with, these graver questions of European polity, the difficulty, we will repeat, here of Schleswig and Holstein, there of 'Moldavia and Wallachia—any one of these things or all of them together might, En glan d at least has long felt, at any moment plunge all the States of Europe into war, and cover with the appalling devastations of battle the whole length and breadth of the most civilized of the four continents. It may absolutely be, we repeat, that the inci dent which has transpired within the last few days at Warsaw may prove to have been the kindling of the first spark of the conflagration. Under date " Warsaw, 27th February," there was that telegram flashed on Saturday to St. Petersburgh—" Riotous assemblages are forming in several streets. The troops have been pelted with stones and replied by firing on the people, killing six and wounding a similar number." An ; incident that, the very counterpart of that collision between the troops and the people in another February not of 1861 but of 1848 —at Paris, immediately opposite to the Hotel of the Minister for Foreign Affairs! It is certainly added in a de spatch of one day latter, namely, in the telegram dated " Warsaw, 28th February" that " Order has been re-established," and that " In the event of fresh disturbances taking place a state of siege will be proclaimed." But—recollecting the source from which those tidings emanate, remembering that they come to us via St. Petersburg, it must be obvious that they mean just anything or —just nothing ! From Warsaw, as recently as Friday, comes the intimation that " The town pre sents a most gloomy aspect," and that " everybody is wearing m ourn in g." From Warsaw, on Saturday, comes the still later and more ominous announce ment that ." the solemn funeral of those who fell in the recent disturbances had taken place, and that a committee of public safety, composed of citizens, had been formed,"a proclamationlrequesting the preservation of order having been promptly issued to the population. Another proclamation, also of a tranquilising character has been simulta neously addressed to the people by the Imperial Governor, Prince GORTSCHAKOFF. An address to the CZAR has been drawn up meanwhile, and signed by great masses of the citizens—this address appealing to the EMPEROR at one part in the manner and words here subjoined ;—" The late events have not been caused by one portion of the people alone, but are the deepest and most unani mous expressions of the unsatisfied wants of the country, and the result of many years of suffering. The want of legal organs compels us to make sacri fices in order to obtain a hearing. In the soul of every one of us there lives a strong and unalterable national sentiment. The country will never attain its development if the principles of nationality do not meet with valid recognition. The coun try appeals to the EMPEROR'S love of justice." How the event may end, it would be difficult at this moment to conjecture, particularly now when the whole political atmosphere is charged with electricity. There, at any rate, at Warsaw, has been visible for an instant the lightning flash of a momentary insurrection. We cannot wait now and hearken whether or not (according to the law of storms in Nature, as defined by the young poet, now Secretary to the University of Edinburgh) there may follow " the applauding thunder at its heels." Certain it is that Europe is now prepared for the sound of the great warlike explosion, for the sight of the vast political conflagration—the sight and sound for which we have all been so long expectant. The modern PONTIUS PILATE is more fortunate than his predecessor 1800 years ago. After the Roman had washed his hands he had done his best, no one afterwards washed them for him. The French PILATE, however, after washing his hands himself in M. LAGUERRONIERE'S pamphlet, has a cousin who could and did perform the operation for him in the Senate, and with an ability which no one had supposed to belong to him. Indeed, Prince NAPOLEON, in the opinion of France, seems to have washed not only his cousin's hands, but his whole person, clothes and all. The speech, of which we had a telegraphic summary on Saturday, was a very long one. It lasted four hours and a half, and fills nearly the whole of the Moniteur. It by no means pleased, it appears, all the Ministers, and some of them has tened off to the Tuileries to set things right ; next day, however, they were observed to be very obse quious to the PRINCE, and the EMPEROR is reported to have also written to him, congratulating him on the success of his speech ;—merely making the slight prudent reserve, that he might not possibly share all its opinions, but approved highly the greater part of the " noble and patriotic ideas" which it contained. The Speech may therefore be regarded as a fair indication of all the more important views which will guide the Imperial policy ; and we may, there fore, hope that the EMPEROR has fairly and frankly accepted at last the " unification of Italy," and deter mined to strengthen France on that side by mak ing Italy entirely his debtor. That that prudent and generous people will forgive many unwarrantable vacillations—one of which has sacrificed, it seems, at least a thousand lives at Gaeta—and will remem ber only the soldier of Magenta and of Solferino, we have no doubt. And, after the announcement that the Tiber is to cut off a Papal Rome from a Royal Rome on the other side, the Italians will not have much left to ask of the French. No one wishes to deprive the POPE of St. Peter's and the Vatican, and should such be the arrangement, and should he treat his little municipality decently, he may probably re main there in quiet for a long time to come. The Venetian question is, now, chiefly an Italian one. France is not seriously to blame there. Louis NAPOLEON, no doubt, found himself, as he thought, not strong enough to storm the Quadrangle, but he has done enough to enable the Italians to storm it themselves. For the rest, weEnglishmen cannot be dissatisfied with the way in which alliance with us is spoken of. It is one made not with Cabinets merely, but with a great and generous people, and which en ables the- EMPEROR to defend the cause of liberty and true progress. He refused to compel the Italians to throw themselves on England alone by a second expedition to Rome. He bestowed the highest praises on the Italians ; they had nothing now to do but to organise their army ; and when the right moment arrived, by an understanding with France, again to demand Venice ! Very much like declaring war v, ith Austria this ; so was the "waiting" of the Sardinian King. But poor Austria has other work on hand than resenting these insults. To-day ABRAHAM LINCOLN will become Presi dent of the United States. Never, perhaps, since the days of WASHINGTON, has England—indeed we may say the civilised world, regarded with so deep an interest the entrance of the American President on his office. The violent and illegal outbreaks consequent on his election ; the semi treason and weakness of BUCHANAN, and his puerile messages to Congress fanning the flame of insurrection ; the firm reticence of Mr. LINCOLN, the lengths to which the Southern States have gone, all create the interest of a great struggle in a great and free country, which bystanders cannot behold without kindled emotion. But besides that, we, and other countries too, have great commercial interests at stake in the United States, and we gaze A ith the feelings of those who may gain or lose immense sums by a straggle of which we are spectators, only, perfectly powerless for good or evil. All that we have seen yet of Mr. LINCOLN gives hope that he is, if any one can be so just now, the iright man in the right place. All accounts of his personal character are highly favour able ; his opponents do not even wish to deny that he is one of those men who have made for themselves the position, not of wealth merely higher capacities do not frequently go with those for mere money making— but of respectability for education, intelligence, energy, and general capacity for business. Since his election, his very silence is indicative of his firmness. He is not a man of restless, nervous, crotchetty mind, who must long have spoken out his wrath, or blurted out prematurely his panacea for all the troubles around him. He has been firmly silent under great provocation to speak. And now, at the very last, on his journey to Washing ton to take the oaths and enter on office, he lets out the least possible of what be thinks may be done without ever asserting that even that ought to be done. So far as he has indicated his views they com bine dignified conciliation with unflinching firm ness. He does not seem disposed to meddle with States which talk of, or which so far as ceremo nial acts go, commence secession. Me doubtless regards all this as informal, illegal, and contrary to the spirit and letter of the constitution, for he denies that a district of a great country, because it is termed a State, has more right to separate itself from the whole than a county has. He does not, however, propose to go to war, or to coerce. He simply denies that for the Federal Govern ment to retain the forts which it has purchased or built in the States is coercion. He goes further, and hints that even to retake its own property, to which it has an indefeasible title, cannot be coercion of the State in which it happens to be. This reads like common sense ; and we appre hend that ABRAHAM LINCOLN will be found to be a man of unusually strong common sense. No crotcheteer, no disciple of the school of subtle diplo matists, but a man who sees strongly facts as they are, and who is prepared to deal with them accord ingly. He adheres firmly to the platform of his party—the chief point being the non extension of slavery—but as nothing what ever has been done yet to aggrieve any State or class of persons, he &nominates the whole 'present excitement an artificial one. It has no basis of facts, but is, he says, the factitious work of a small band of active politicians. The only thing in which we notiee a hesitating tone is, on the subject of protection to native industry. He was speaking to Pennsylvanian iron manufacturers, who to their lasting disgrace retain a heavy pro tecting duty against foreign iron. He himself belongs to a corn producing State, whose interest of course is to sell its corn for foreign manufac turers. We confess we were sorry to observe the attempts of a man, who, it seemed to us, knew better, to make "protection to native industry," square with the interest of the great body of consumers. At this very moment Congress, partly in selfishness, partly in pure ignorance of higher commercial principles, is—passing a bill to raise the tariff against foreign nations yet higher ; a madder thing, just now, the North could not do. But while the real President of the States is taking the oaths at Washington, a mock President is show ing off in far grander style, judged by the theatrical standard, in the South ; he is receiving all sorts of extravagant honours, as the President of six slave States already banded together on the noble principle of slavery, and according to all accounts this King of Slaves and Slaveholders is a man of unscrupu lous political zeal. He is a devoted partisan, and as all his honours will depend on reigning in a Hell of Slave States rather than serving in a Heaven of Free ones, he will doubtless do his best to make his social and political Pandemonium a power. The last accounts were of—one President moving onward amid Northern acclamations to Washington, another amid Southern plaudits to Montgomery I but one was elected by a majority of two to one, the whole thirty-six States voting—the other by perhaps a unanimous vote, but that only of the odd six States, and those States with but few voters. We shall probably soon begin to see some little indications of the way in which things will termi nate; at present all we know is that America has its " great and little Horn," and that.the little Horn speaks many blasphemous things against human liberty, and union with those who love it. We must leave it to Dr. CUMMING to interpret the future from this. The Queen and Prince Consort, accompanied by the Princess Alice and the other members of the royal family, will, according to present arrangements, leave Osborne on Friday next on their return to Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge entertained a select party at dinner on Saturday last, at St. James's Palace. A small circle assembled after dinner. The Duke and Duchess of Manchester have been entertaining at Kimbolton Castle, during the past week, the Earl and Countess of Tankerville, the Earl of Sand wich, Viscountess Sydney, Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins, &c. PRINCE NAPOLEON'S SPEECH.—I have just heard that the Emperor wrote this day (Saturday) to his cousin, Prince Napoleon, congratulating him very warmly on the success of his speech yesterday in the Senate. His Majes ty said that if he did not share all the opinions expressed in the Prince's speech, he approved highly the greater part of " the noble and patriotic ideas" it contained. Immediately after the debate of yesterday in the Senate two of the Ministers hastened to the Tuileries with the view of preju dicing the Emperor against his cousin's speech. It is not probable that they succeeded, for they appeared to-day in the Senate among the most obsequious towards the Prince. Among those who congratulated the Prince most warmly were observed MM. de Persigny, Rouher, and Thouvenel (Ministers of the Interior, Public Works, and Foreign Affairs). M. Fould was also very complimentary to the Prince. The Count de Persigny has authorised the pub lication of two new daily papers in Paris. One is to be called Le Temps, and is to be edited by M. Neptzer, for merly of the Presse ; and the second, to be called La France Liberale, is to be edited by M. Bonnet. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.—The Government is indefatigable in improving the weapons with which the French soldiers are armed. A new bayonet has been dis tributed to the picked companies of the 334 and 34th Regi merits of Infantry, who form part of the Ist Corps d'Armee. This bayonet is intended to replace the sabre-poniard now carried by the picked companies only, but it is to be ex tended to the entire infantry. It is shaped like a straight triangular sword, deeply hollowed in the middle, with two grooves and a back underneath. Its handle is of horn, ornamented with steel. The musket to which this new bayonet is fitted is rifled, and the barrel is not so long as those of the rifles now used by infantry soldiers. Compen sation, however, is made for that difference by the bayonet, which is 71 centimetres long, including the handle. INDIAN CURRENCY.—Mr. Laing is about to com mence his Indian career by carrying out the measures which Mr. Wilson originated. The great questions which ho will have to investigate are those of the composition of new taxes, and of currency. With regard to the latter subject, it is understood that Sir C. Wood will probably insist on the innoculation of India with the currency evils of Peel's bill. We cannot imagine a greater boon than that which would be conferred on our gigantic Eastern de pendency by the introduction of a sound paper money sys tem. Nothing would tend so largely to develope the im mense resources of India. At the same time it would bind the Indian race to the British Government by the strongest ties of self-interest. But much of the benefit which would otherwise accrue to India will be neu'ralised should Mr. Laing and Sir C. Wood, by making the circulating medium of India depend on the presence or absence of bullion, in troduce the law of panics and monetary crisis. Bullion, like Shakespeare's Caliban, is a useful servant, but a bad master. In England we have suffered for thirty years and upwards from a ridiculous gold law. India is threatened with an equally pernicious silver law.—Derbyshire Courier. The police, some time ago, made a decent into a clandestine gambling house, called the Cercle do la Mo. deration, at 60, Rue Richer, and the keeper of the place, one Levy Salomon, was brought to trial before the Train nal of Correctional Police, but he was acquitted Against the acquittal an appeal was presented to the Im perial Court, and the man was condemned to two months' imprisonment and 100 f. fine. Ezi,T NEWS. REUTER'S TELEGRAMS. WARSAW, SATURDAY. The funeral of those killed in the late disturb ances gave rise to a great popular manifestation, in which 100,000 men were assembled. The troops are confined to their barracks. A petition to the Emperor is being signed, solicit ing the re-establishment of the Polish constitution, which has been suspended since 1831. A commit tee of public safety composed of citizens has been formed, and has issued a proclamation requesting the maintenance of order. Governor oortcb akoff, in a proclamation, reminds the citizens of the justice which Russia Las accorded to them for 30 years. The Prince has given tranquillising assurances to a deputation from an agricultural association. The chief of the police, Mr. Trepow, having been wounded, has been replaced by Colonel Denoncal. The municipality of Warsaw has sent an address to the Emperor. NAPLES, MARCH 2. The bombardment of Civitella del Tronto com menced on Thursday last. On Prince Carignan's visit to Admiral Mundy he was saluted by the guns of the English fleet. Italian troops axe expected at Messina. The generals of the Italian army are examining the different positions. General Pergola. has declared to General Cialdini that the works commenced against the citadel con stitute a violation 'of the convention concluded be tween himself and Garibaldi, and that he would bombard the city should they be carried on. General Cialdini replied that for every inhabitant of the city who might be killed or wounded by the bombardment he would order an officer of the gar rison of the citadel to be shot. He has also notified to General Fergola that he does not consider him as a general, but as a rebel against King Victor Emmanuel. WARSAW, SUNDAY. The address of the citizens of Warsaw to the Emperor says : " The late events have not been caused by one portion of the people alone, but are the deepest and most unanimous expression of the unsatisfied wants of the country, and the result of many years of suffering. " The want of legal organs compels us to make sacrifices in order to obtain a hearing. " In the soul of every one of us there lives a strong and unalterable national sentiment. " The country will never attain its development if the principles of nationality do not meet with valid recognition. " The country appeals to the Emperor's love o: justice," VIENNA, SUNDAY EVENING. A deputation from Venice, with Count Bembo, podesta of that city, at their head, is expected here, to present petitions to the Emperor in the name of Venice. ST. PETERSBURG, MARCH 2. The sittings of the Council of the Empire in reference to the question of the peasants are ap proaching their termination. It is said that the emansipation of the serfs will be proclaimed during Lent (0.5.). THE HAGUE, MARCH 2. The Minister of the Interior stated to-day that the ministers have tendered their resignations to the King, and have respectfully requested his Majesty to form a ncyr The King replied that he would consider what the interests of the country demanded, and in the meanwhile has provisionitily prorogued the Chamber. ,BERLIN, SUNDAY. It is statad that Prussia will not acquiesce in the French proposal in reference to Syria. It is, however, expected that the Conference will in a few days consent to the prolongation of the French occupation for some months. THE DANISH QUESTION. BERLIN, MONDAY. The Austrian Cabinet bas despatched a note to Copenhagen, requesting that Denmark should lay before the Estates of Holstein the budget for 1861. The note adds, that should: this request not be complied with, Federal execution would take place in Holstein. THE DISTURBANCES AT WARSAW. A letter from Warsaw, (Tatted 26th February, addressed to the Journal de Dresde, gives the fol lowing details of the events which occurred at the Polish capital on the previous evening : " Since the demonstration -which took place on the 25th November, 1860, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Polish revolution, and which was allowed by the authorities, the rumour spread throughout the country that on the 25th of Feb • ruary, the anniversary of the battle of Groc how, a grand demonstration would be made at War saw, which, in fact, - was made yes terday. It was first proposed to hold a funeral ser vice on the field of battle itself, which is at no great distance from the Praga fambourg ; but it having been reported that the Russians would cele brate a service at the same hour in honour of their soldiers who fell on that occasion, it was re solved to organise instead a grand torchlight pro cession to parade the prinoi pal streets of the city. "For some days previously handbills had been largely distributed, and even posted up on the walls, calling upon all citizens to a ssemble on the old mar ket-place at halt-past six o'clock. At five o'clock already, not only the market-place, but all the ad jacent streets, were thronged by a large multi tude; including many persons of the better class, and also women. " The police, which was in force, called upon the crowd to disperse, but in vain. Insults were lavished upon it. Circulation, which was difficult at first, soon became impossible, especially in the badly-lighted streets, still darker owing to a fog. " While the police were thus occupied in the old market-place the leaders of the demonstration assembled in the neighbouring church of the Pau linians for the funeral service. The church was not large enough to contain the assemblage, and the whole street was blocked up by the crowd. About half-past 7 the procession issued forth from the church, and advanced through the street on to the market-place. " The cortege was headed by a man bearing tl e Polish flag —a white eagle on a .red ground. He was followed by a body of young- .men, chiefly stu dents of the Academy of Medicine, of the School of Agriculture, of the Academy of Fia le Arts, and of the Institution of Nobility, as well as of young men of the industrial classes, most of them carrying small flags of the Polish colours, red at id white, and torches. "The procession traversed the dense a nd crowded market-place, singing a hymn, and who. the people beheld the White Eagle an immense at td terrible shout of enthusiasm arose, which seemed never to end. " It was the intention of the cortege to pass through the Rue St. Jean, in front of the Royal Palace, to reach the Cracow faubourg, the finest and most animated part of the city, and thence be fore the Government Palace, where the Agricul tural Society was actually bolding a sitting. In fact, nearly all the nobility of the country is actu ally here to attend the meetings of the Agricultural Society, which, though only two years in existence,, , already numbers 4,600 members. " As the cortege approached the Place St. Jean a squadron of mounted gendarmes suddenly made their appearance, and commenced making use of their sabres. A great tumult ensued; those of the cortege who were attacked defended themselves for some time with their flag staffs and torches. " In about one hour afterwards the whole of the old market place was clear, the whole garrison was under arms and occupied all the public squares and principal streets, which, however, remained crowded by men during the night." The above account does not speak of any killed, but a letter, dated Warsaw, 28th Feb., says : " The police attempted to stop the manifestation, and several persons were killed. On the next day the corpses were carried in procession through the streets, and displayed in front of the French Con sulate to shouts of Justice ! Justice ! Vivo Na poleon !' This led to a conflict with the troops, who on the 28th were consigned to their barracks, and the maintenance of order e ntrusted to the inhabi tants. lam told that order is maintained by the Agricultural Society, the municipal authorities having spontaneously placed themselves under its orders." Another account says : " As soon as the multitude beheld the national flag with the White Eagle, more than 30,000 men, women, and chilaren knelt and raised a hymn, many of them shedding tears. They were charged by the cavalry, eight men were killed and others wounded. Various arrests have taken place, and loaded cannon are drawn up in front of the Palace." (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) PARIS, MONDAY MORNING. The 111oniteur, in its bulletin, has news from Warsaw to the 2d inst., announcing that the funeral of those who fell during the late disturbances had taken place with the greatest order. The whole population was present in deep mourning. The Russian guard presented arms, and the drums were beaten. The committee, composed of the principal inhabitants, which had provisionally administered the affairs of the city, ceased to exercise its functions the following day. The Polish officials had ten dered their resignation in a body. Troops were arriving. FRANCE. PARIS, SUNDAY. BOURSE, March 2.—The settlement has been going on to-day under favourable circumstances, and everything has passed off without any difficul ties. Other business continues very limited, but prices well maintained. Threes, for the account, are now at 68f 15c. Railway shares also firm. The following are the last quotations :- 4 Cents ... 98 Credit Fancier 925 Do. end month.... 97 90 Belgian 3 per Cents Do. end month 6B 20 ; Roman Bank Shares. .2880 I Austrian 68 25 Credit Mobilier 670 Spanieh Threes.... 48 Do. Account 667 50 Home Debt RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1427 50 .. 1432 75 Northern 965 .. 967 50 New ditto 897 50 .. 895 Lyons and Mediterranean 948 75 .. 950 Geneva 377 50 .. Southern 527 50 .. 525 Western Eastern .... Sardinian Austrian Loirbard THE MAGAZINES. Blackwood's Magazzne. There are some pages devoted to the considera tion of " The China War of 1860," which merit perusal. There is a brief narrative, as it is called, of the momentous proceedings in that Celestial Empire, which, through suffering, and danger, and difficulty, at last resulted in so glorious a success. Familiar as most readers will be with all the details here mentioned, it is often desirable to meet with them thus in a connected form. It is most interesting to nave the pi,BrACI , 3 of PVAI+ I, from the arrival of the troops in June till that proud day in October, when the display of the ensign from the gate of Pekin announced that the Tartars had surrendered the command of the Imperial city. " Yes, we were then masters of capital of China, at the very end of the map of the world, at the point which appears to school boy minds the limit of the creation." In conclusion, the following remarks are made : " The Chinese expedition of 1860 has come to an end. It will be kindly remembered by all who took part in it for the good feeling and fellowship which animated all members of a very well -al pointed force ; and it will be remembered by the public as a distant, difficult, and complicated operation brought, under God's blessing, to a successful issue, by a combination of naval, military, and diplomatic efficiency and skill, which England has most cordially acknowledged, and of which she may be justly proud." " Norman Sinclair" presents some exciting pas sages. The tale appears to be approaching a climax, and the interview with Mr. Beaton is a very well described scene. Norman shows great prudence as well as zeal in his very hazardous undertakings. He is left at the moment of starting in pursuit of the villains who have caused such havoc in the homes of many, and his ac count of his travelling companions is very enter taining. " The Physical Geography of the Sea" furnishes us with some topics for consideration. It criticises an American work on the subject, upon w hich high praise is bestowed. " Here is a sub ject in the abstract hopeless, treated in a manner that from the opening of the book till its close never tires. Not only does ho treat of the ani mate and inanimate products of the sea, and of the currents which circulate through its waters and impart life and action to the uttermost depths, but to Lieutenant Maury we are indebted for much information—indeed, for all that mankind possesses of the crust of the earth beneath the blue waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." It is at all times an agreeable and profitable task to dwell on a work like this, and it is here treated in a very suitable manner. A paper is also devoted to " Lee's History of the Church of Scotland." In dwelling on the question whether or not it is a benefit that there should be different ecclesiastical establishments in England and Scotland, it is truly said that the " advantages of the diversity are greater than its drawbacks, inasmuch as Soot- land has thus retained her independent position and separate institutions, instead of sinking into a mere province of England." The period here under discussion was an eventful one in the his• tory of nations, and, painful as it is to peruse many records of religious dissensions, where faults are so glaringly exhibited on both sides, it is im portant to dwell upon them, if we would arrive at a fair estimate of our enemies. The remarks here made are very impartial, and may well accord in the opinions expressed concerning the .ational Covenant. " In the meantime, we repeat that our objections to the covenants, and particularly to the Solemn League and Covenant, ought not wholly to determine our opinion of the individuals who originated or adopted them. The name of the Scottish Covenanters ought never to be mentioned without honour, though its name may be tar nished by dark and disastrous spots. We may reject some of their opinions, we may condemn or denounce the arts of some of their number ; but as a body they deserve our admiration for many things ; for the high value which they set on religious truth, on personal piety, and on simpli city of worship—for the courage and constancy with which they asserted their principles, and their readiness to sacrifice and suffer everything for conscience sake." In this number the greater number of articles relates to the consideration of works—there is one on " Wilson's German Cam paign of 1813," and another on "Natural History Books." There is a paper on " The Indian Civil Service, its Rise and Fall," which takes rather a glowing view of affairs at the present juncture. Also some remarks on " Iron Clad Ships of War and our Defences." This takes a very sensible view of that great question, and observes that " the launch of the first of our future fleet of fighting ships has been hailed with genuine satis faction from one end of Britain to the other." It is truly said, in considering the question of security against the foe, that there is but " one real defencb for this empire—though God forbid we should be reduced to defensive measures—when an enemy really assails us, and that defence is to-day what it was in the days of Elizabeth, of glorious memory —it is to-day what it was when George Gaul the Third and - William Pitt tamed the pride of t, and laughed at banded Europe." Further, a great stress is laid on the importance of having a defensive flotilla of iron gunboats in support of Which many valid arguments are urged; And in conclusion w© meet with the following eloquent and spirited passage : " Then, with our volunteer riflemen and our vast fleet of mezcantile steamers, we should indeed be ready for all eventualities. A combined action of oar defensive and offensive fleets would, still more effectually than in great Di ake's day, sings the King of Spain's board,' by an assault on Cherbourg or Flushing ; and if, whilst our sea fleet was away, another and more formidable armada reached our narrow seas, directed by one who combines the subtlety of a Philip with the military genius of a Parma, we should still be prepared to follow and fight him—let England, Ire land; or Scotland be his object—' plucking their feathers, little by little" —repeating the tactics of those glorious sea men who, under Howard, Seymour, Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, leapt I o struggle with the foe on our native ele ment, taught Europe a lesson which lasted 200 years, and boasted with truth that a hostile host, intended for the hu miliation of the proud islanders, did not even burn one sheep-cote in this land.' " - THE SUN, Dublin University Magazine. This number contains many interesting subjects for perusal. The article on Froude's History of England is well worthy of attentive perusal, and criticises in a just style that important and excel lent work. The writer defends Mr. Fronde from many charges that have been brought against him by divers critics, and especially from the sweeping censure in the Times. It is thus remarked in summing up :—" Our conclusion is, that while his narrative might be smoother, and while his style is occasionally redundant, these blemishes are more than atoned for by the laborious accuracy, whose wrough materials are fused into the white glow of his eloquence ; and the fact of his belonging to the spiritual school of historians is surely no grave accu sation against him who chronicles the era of the English Reformation—the spring-tide of England's intellectual and religious new birth, the battle field of contending principles, the age of bold doers, bolder thinkers, and sufferers bolder again than either." The remarks on Cromwell are most in teresting, and due credit is awarded to Mr. Fronde for his historical treatment of that great man. It is said that he enters into his character with fine psychological insight. A passage is quoted from the volume which exemplifies in full force the - vr - jay in which the description is done, in which it is truly said that his enemies in their evil spirit of revenge " gave him an opportunity of redeming his fame and writing his name in the roll of martyrs." At the end of this superior sketch is the following tribute to the effective style in which this portion of the history has been written : " A yet higher lesson, with which we conclude our notice, is eloquently taught. The Church could only be purified by her Lord's way of suffering. The iron bar, however massive, has a tendency to crystallise in severe frost, when it snaps and crumbles at a touch. Prosperity is the time of the Church's crystallisation ; but if the bar be removed, heated, and made incandescent in the furnace, it is restored to its original strength. So was the Church strengthened by her plunge into the fiery furnace of martyrdom. It is the highest meirt of Mr. Froude's work that it shows us, walking among our faithful witnesses, a form like the Son of God." "An Only Son" is continued, and the tale is already become very elaborate, and the reader foresees many intricate plots and surprising events for the future. " A Mediaeval Patriot, Scanderberg," is a very attractive sketch, and none will fail to be in terested in the record of this brave man who fought for freedodt and his inalienable birthright Few romances can surpass this glimpse of reality, which must be set among the gems with which history redeems her dark and dreadful pages. The subjoined remarks may be acceptable as evidencing the career of one who was a true patriot : " This model for sovereigns was neither rendered vain by good fortune nor dispirited by adversity. He had ne personal ambition, no avarice, no luxurious appetities. His passions and propensities were held in systematic control. He fought not for power, but for liberty. He spoiled his enemies to humble them, and to procure subsistence for his own people, not to enrich himself. When circumstances permitted he kept a sumptuous table for his officers and friends, but on all occasions he himself ate but once a day, and that sparingly. lie never slept raore than five hours in the 24, and when in the field would satisfy himself with twd. His soldiers were richly habited, but their king generally very plain in attire. His horses and arms, how ever, were of the first quality, and on occasions of ceremony he would appear dressed and attended with the utmost magnificence. In fine, as a king, a soldier, and a Christian men, living in an age and country when the hand alone could keep the head, his character commands equal admira tion and esteem, and approaches as nearly to perfection a s the weakness of humanity allows us to suppose possible." "Anon, anon, Sir," is a brief essay on the import ance of conserving the anonymous principle in periodical literature. The arguments here adduced are valid ones, and it: is to be hoped that the prac tice lately so prevalent of departing from the ancien regime may be speedily discontinued. By means of this desirable obscruity it is asserted what is written must depend on its own merits, not its past fame. The description of a mighty and powerful writer like old Thunderer Stirling, or Carlyle in the good old days when he could write English, is the following:— " Terrible he rode alone, With his Jemen sword for aid. Ornaments he carried none, Save the dents upon his blade." " The Mammoth Cave of Kentucky" is a very amusing little sketch of a wonderful spot whose existence is certainly little thought of in this coun try. - rub it, is A4ia " ado cave which might serve as a counterpart to the shades of antiquity, is perfectly accessible, and is visited annually by thousands of Americans." There is a paper entitled " Bacon and his New Apologist," which disapprove's of Mr. Dixon's work of " The Personal History of Lord Bacon," on the ground that he has allowed his partiality to run away with his judgment, and thus has failed to realise his idea of clearing the reputation of his idol. " Mabel " contains some pretty verses, and there are some beautiful thoughts intertwined with the poetry. The following verses are among the best : it For lingering fondly after her We hear angelic wings astir; A gleam comes through the golden bars Where Christ is gone beyond the stars, Out of that home invisible Wherein His own reneemed dwell. " For when we breathe our Mabel's name It is as if our Saviour came (As erst to her of Galilee), Into her chamber, with the three, And touched her hand before our eyes, And called her, saying ' Maid, arise.' " Yea, risen indeed, and gone away With Him until the judgment day. In what high placed, or blessed state, The souls of His beloved wait, Till they shall come again to stand When sounds the trump at His right hand." " Command of the Channel" furnishes us with the old topic of discussion concerning the necessity of defence and the best means of obtaining it. It is very forcibly urged on the Government not to undertake sudden changes. "Do not let the Channel fleet be put down for the present. It is the sheet anchor of the nation. Nothing more behoves to be more borne in the national mind than that a single great battle lost at sea by England would be sufficient to destroy her preponderance and to throw her open to invasion." Colburn's New Monthly Magazine. A lengthened paper on the social economy of the Mormons opens this number. It is founded on a recent French work, in which the author, M. Remy, recounts the results of an exploring expedi tion into the territory of Utah. He resolved on visiting the country of this singular sect, and accompanied by a friend and a suitable escort he set forth in July, 1855. On the preparations for this expedition he expended £1,600, although the time occupied was only five months. He confirms in all respects the accounts of previous travellers, and pourtrays in the strongest manner the wretch edness of the domestic life conducted on the prin ciples of Joseph Smith and his followers. The story of " East Lynne" is continued, but the story pro gresses very unsatisfactorily. The position of Lady Isabel returning as governess to her own children in the house that had once been hers, under an assumed name, in tho presence of Mr. Carlyle's second wife, is most painful and unnatural. We regret that the author choose to linger so long on so extravagant a situation, and one which can only gratify a morbid taste. Sir Nathaniel gives us a sketch of the founder of the imperial dynasty of the Hapsburgs, one more worthy • in many re spects of the dignity he enjoyed than most of his successors. At the present moment their tenure of authority is not very satisfactory, but it is inte resting to turn to the bold career of the warlike Rudolph, whose narrow means and low estate, contrary to the usual rule, greatly facilitated his election to the Crown of the Empire. In these days of universal disbelief and sceptical assaults, on our old historical traditions, all lovers of nursery lore will be delighted to find careful and authent:* testimony to the truth of the story of Whittington and his cat. Of the identity of the " thrice Lord Mayor" there has indeed been no dispute, but the existence of his fourfooted assistant has been often cavilled at. The Rev. Mr. Lysons, however, who has issued a modern version of the story, retains the cat as a prominent feature in the early part of Sir Richard's life, although summarily dismissing the poor parents, the early rags, and even the waggon that helped him to London. Fortunately the good deeds of the City magnate in later days is less open to question, and " as an intelligent and practical philanthropist," says the writer before us, " he has rarely been equalled." The establishment of drinking fountains, the improvement of prisons, and prison discipline ; the protection of the poor from fraudulent tradesmen, were among the least costly of his efforts." An old authority records his greater doings. " He builded the gate of Lon don, which is called Newgate, which before was a misearble dungeon. He builded Whittington Col leged, and made it an Almese House for poore people. Also he builded a greater parte of Hospitall of S. Bartholomew's, in West Smith field, London. He also builder the beautiful' Library of ye Grey Friers, in London, called Christe s Hospitall ; and he builded the Guilde Halle Chappell, aad increased a greater parte of the East ende of the saied Hall, besides many other good workes," Mrs. Bushby contributes the first part of a Danish story, at; 3 there is an interesting paper on Thiebault's Memoirs, of which a new edition has just been issued in Paris. "No life of Frederick the Great," says the critic, " can be possible without constant reference to them. A brief article on Victor Emmanuel and Italy is not satisfactory, since the writer regards the mainte nance of Austrian despotism in Venetia with com placency, and recommends the enforcement of the terms of the peace of Villafranca. W. C. Kent contributes some very charming verses on the noble poet and favourite of poets, Surrey in the Tower. The United Service Magazine. This magazine commences with an article on the pay and expenses of officers, in which, amongst other difficulties with which the officer of limited private income, or he who is entirely dependent on his pay for support, the absurd and ruinous cus tom of keeping up an expensive mess is justly censured. Chapter 2 follows suit ' in fact, this month, the editor has determined to show no quarter to the shortcoming of our naval and mili tary services. Therefore, in the second chapter, the Board of Admiralty come in for their share of castigation. Here, at all events, the censor has free scope and a wide field for action, and after commenting at length on the system employed in manning our navy, he remarks— "lt is this state of things which more particularly shows the extremely faulty nature of Admiralty administration. Had a proposition been made to the Commander-in-Chief in the army to discontinue the system of recruiting, what would have been his course? In all probability resig nation ; and had a recommendation been made which in his judgment would have driven nine-tenths of the recruits away, just as they were becoming good soldiers, he would have remonstrated as became one in his position. But the Admiralty can do nothing. The first Sea Lord, who has the manning business to look after, fumes and frets, and threatens to resign, but does not. The First Lord knows that he is only acting up to the wishes of the Free-Trade Cabinet, and helping to secure the votes of Cobden, Bright; and Company ; and Admiral is told he may do as he pleases about resigning, but if he does there is Admiral who quite enters into the Government views, and is rather anxious to have a seat at the board. The Navy has, in truth, no representative and no sincere friend but the press. Every one is seeking his own interest, or the interest of the party which keeps him in power—which amounts to the same thing—and as all know that a few years at farthest will make a change, and that some one else who may then have watch on deck will have to repair the evils they have suffered to creep into the good ship." " Discontent in the Royal Navy" follows, and its cause and remedy are dilated upon. Under the head of "Remarks upon the Effects of the New Armament of Cannon and Rifles lately adopted in the British Army," the attention of military men is called to the adoption of an improved order of fortification and a speedier plan of bringing troops into position, together with other details. We have chapters on the army estimates and the late official report on the French navy, in which it is shown that in spite of the pretended diminution of labour in the French dockyards, which the report would have us to believe, they have been more than usually active. " Denmark and Schleswig- Holstein," that never ending subject of controversy, forms the subject of an article commencing with the lines of Albert Smith, which a good many could echo— "About the Schleswig-Polstein row My notions are not clear." Under the head of " The Southern States of America" we are furnished with a history of the rise of some of the seceding States, and informa tion on transatlantic matters. " A Boat Expedi tion in Burmah, from the Diary of an Officer," is continued from last month, and is as replete with interesting details of the manners and customs of country. Part 2of " The Bahams, or Lucagos Islands" is the last subject for this month, and contains a romantic tradition of the fountain of youth preserved in the West Indies. The "Editor's Portfolio," and general naval and mili tary information, are, of course, as usual, fur nished. Bentley's Miscellany. " The Constable of the Tower," which has been already noticed in our columns, of course takes the first place. In " Mingle Mangle," by Monkshood, Storm-brewing and Skyey Influences is continued, in which the author shows that, whether true or false, from the earliest ages both novelists and poets invariably bring atmospheric influences to bear upon, or to associate themselves with, the fate of their heroes, In a biography of Marshal Mac mahon, Duke of Magenta, we find a full account of this successful adventurer. " The Parting Fee" is a medical memorandum of the last half-century. It is short, and good enough in its way. We must compliment our friend Onida on the decided im provement " Our Corps' Friends and Foes" is upon his previous contributions. Part the third this month brings the tale to a conclusion, and the last few pages, in which spirit-rapping and table-danc ing a re brought. int o Play, are very cleverly Writ ten and ludicrous in the extreme. Under the head of " The Life of the Sea, and Life in the Sea," the wonders of the deep are expounded as deep as the writer can fathom. The following is an ex ample : " Brimful of life at its surface, the sea would be encum bered if that prodigious power of production was not kept somewhat in check by the antagonist power of destruction. Only imagine that every herring has from 50,000 to 70,000 eggs ! If every egg was to produce a herring, and every herring 50,000 more, were there not an enormous destruc tion going on, the ocean would very soon be solidified and putrified. The great cetacea drive them towards the shores, ever and anon diving into their ranks and swallowing up whole shoals. The whiting eat their fry; cod again de vour the whiting. Yet, even here, the peril of the sea, an excess of fecundity, shows itself in a still more terrible shape. The cod has up to nine millions of eggs, and this creature, of such formidable powers of maternity, has nine months of love out of twelve. No wonder that the fishery of this productive fish has created towns and colonies. But even then, what would the power of man be opposed to such fecundity ? He is assisted by others, among which the sturgeon takes chief rank. Then, again, the sturgeon itself is a very fecund fish. This devourer of cod has itself fifteen hundred thousand eggs. Another great devourer is not proportionately reproductive, and that is the shark; so Michelet calls it " Le beau mangeur de la nature, mangeur patents, le . requin." Vivaporous, he nourishes the young shark in his bosom, his feudal inheritor, who is born ter rible and ready armed. Hence are sharks called in many countries sea-dogs, and so we lately saw the French Mims de tner literally translated." Or "The House, Blaswick," four pages are alone furnished this month, but short though the instal ment be, it consists of two chapters, and contains strange revelations, which only " make that darker which was dark enough before." " Lorn Loriot," by Dudley Costello, is continued, and bids fair to be a capital story. Fraser's Magazine. Fraser opens with another instalment of Mr. Whyte Melville's story "Good for Nothing, or All Down Hill." It is written in the author's usual style, lively and clever, showing some knowledge of life and character. The love affairs of the party, between affection and interest, rivalry and opposi tion threaten to become sufficiently entangled to suit the most eager romancist. The first paper, on the progress and prospects of astronomy, gives us the commencement of a series of studies through the telescope, written in a popular and simple style. It is remarked that it is in "rainy, cloudy, misty, damp, boisterous, sombre England," whose uncertain atmosphere is so unfavourable to astro nomical observations, that the study of astronomy is of late years most widely diffused. An article on "Dante, his Works and Wanderings," traces the chequered and eventful life . of the poet of the " Divine Commedia" and " The Florentine Exile." The story of "Ida Conway" progresses with some degree of interest. Trouble and humiliation are evidently hanging over the family of Von Wert• heim. " A Few Words on Tours and Tourists" sets forth strongly the advantages of travel. In the concluding passages the author observes-- " When so much stress is laid upon the cultivation of some artistic taste, and painting and music are prized as the civilisers of society, it is as well to remember what is due in this manner to the cheap travelling, which educates the senses of thousands amidst the beauties of nature." We have after wards a spirited description of a hunting field and the death of poor Reynard, under the title of " A Mount on Shank's Mare." Mrs. Piozzi, whose familiarity with our literary hero of the last half of the eighteenth century has brought her much undeserved distinction, is the subject of an inte resting paper, which gives a succinct outline of her life and fortunes. Notwithstanding her toil and accomplishments, and the tact and energy she often displayed in trying situations, Mrs. Thrale appears to have boen entirely devoid of warmth of heart or elevation of mind. The total absence of affection between herself and her daughters, even before her marriage with Piozzi, is very little to the credit of either side. There are some spirited lines addressed to South Carolina, recommending the division of the National flag, and the allot ment of the stars to the North, and the stripes, fit emblem of the slave driver's domi nion to the Southern States. The " Chronicle of Current History" is continued, giving, as usual, a comprehensive and fairly written resume of the events of the month in both hemispheres. It is a useful addition to the magazine, especially for country readers. Macmillan's Magazine. Victor Amadeus, the First King of Sardinia," is the subject of a very interesting article. His military successes are a matter of history, but his worse than tragic end is not generally known. After abdicating in favour of his son, a weak, --