The Sun. — London, England, 1861-12-28 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE ROYAL. Leesee, Mr. E. T. SMITII. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE of the PAN TOMIME every WEDNESDAY, at Two °Tied:. THIS EVENING (SATURDAY) her - Majesty's Ser vants will perform the popular Farce, by J. B. Buckstone, Esq., entitled AN ALARMING SACRIFICE. Bob Ticket, Mr. Atkins ; Pugwash, Mr. Barsby ; Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hope; Susan Sweet apple, Miss Keeley; Miss Wadd, Miss Stuart ; Miss Tibbit, Miss Bland ; Miss Gimp, Miss Harfl eur ; Deborah, Mrs. Dow ton . After which will be produced, with that attention to com pleteness in every department by which the Christmas Annuals of this Theatre have been so pie-eminently dis tinguished, the New Grand Comic Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN and the HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT; or, Old Mother Hubbard and her onderful Dog. "If a man do build a dwelling upon common land from sunset to sunrise, and enclose a piece of ground, wherein there shall be a tree, a beast feeding, a fire kindled, a chim ney smoking, and provisions in the pot, such dwelling shall be freely held by the builder, anything herein to the con trary nevertheless notwithstanding."—Old Forest Charter. The Novel Effects and Splendid Scenery by WILLIAM BEVERLEY, Assisted by Messrs. C. Pitt, Craven, Brow, &c., &c. Masks, Symbolic Devices, Personal Appointments, and Designs for the Costumes, by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The Overtui-e and Music composed and arranged by Mr. J. H. TULLY. The Machinery by Mr. Tucker and As sistants. The Tricks, Properties, Changes, and Transtor• mations, by Mr. Needham, assisted by Messrs C-lindon, H. Adams, H. Langham, &c. The Costumes by Miss Dickin son, Mr. Lauri, end Mr. Palmer. The Gas Appointments by Mr. inckley. The Choregra , liic Arrangements by Mr. Cormack. The Harlequinade and Comic Scenes by Messrs. Cormack and B. Jones. The Perfume of the Flowers supplied by Bimmel's process. The Grotesque Burlesque Opening invented and written by E. L. BLANCHAR u. And the whole arranged and produced under the imme diate superintendence of Mr. ROBERT ROXBY. Synopsis of Scenery, Incidents, and Characters, OLD MOTHER HUBBARD'S COTTAGE, With Rural Landscape, and Rookwood Manor Hall in the Distance (Daylight), ' 6 Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard, to get her poor Dog a bone; when she got there, the cupboard was bare, and so the poor Dog had none."—Ancient Nur sery Legend. Old Mother Hubbard, Mr. Atkins ; Her Dog, Signor Lorenzo ; Jack (the " Man all tattered and torn"), Miss F. Hunt; the Squire, Mr. Tom Matthews; Dame Wiggins of Lee, Mr. Dixon ; Dame Trot, Mr. Barsby ; Her Won derful Cat, Master 'Waggles ; the Great Goose, Master Sageaninguns ; Constables, Messrs. Grib and Grab; Parish Beadle, Mr. Bumble; Villagers, Messrs. Yokel, Pumpkin, Whackstraw, Chawbacon, &c., &c. ; Rosetta (the " Maiden all Forlorn"), Miss Stuart. How Mother Hubbard has a certan " party" to tea and turn out, and of the remarkable pranks played by her comical Dog—The Head, the Hat, and the Hose—The Dog's Tale and Mrs. H.'s Narrative— Arrival of the Squire—Proclamation of Witch Burning— Threatened incremation of Mother Hubbard on her own hearth, and her Mystic Flight upon a Broomstick. THE WITCHES' GLEN AND WATERFALL, in the Valley of Perfumed Flowers, by Moonlight. Will-o'-the-Wisp Ignes Fatui—Mdlles. Sidney, Travers, Barnes, A. Barnes, Livermore; Webb, Taylor, Braithwaite,Hammi!ton, Stap - ley, Harris, Candy, Copeland, Archer. Hawkins, Delaney, Wilson, Williams, Robinson, Wood, Watson, and Hamel-. ton. Grand Ballet, Chagne-a-Lanterne, by the Misses GUN NISS and the Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. The Invocation ! The Incantation ! 1 and the Evapora tion I I 1 THE VILLAGE GREEN AND ROADSIDE ALE HOUSE, Old Grype (the Steward), Mr. Glhadon ; Old Scratche (his Clerk), Mr. Tanner ; Tenantry, Messrs. Cringe, Scrape, Shuffle, Cut, Packoff, Moonraker, and Runaway; Tailor, Mr. Snipshears ; Bootmaker, Mr. Tightfit ; Mum mies, Messrs. Grinner, Joker, Magger, Cracksides, O'Reilly, M'Phun, &c.; St. George, Mr. E. Roe; the Dragon, Mr. Scalyfellow ; Valentine, Mr. Febbyerry ; Orson, Mr. Wildman; Still-Walker, Mr. Longlegs; Bear- Warden, Mr. Smuggins ; the Bear, Mr. Huggins ; Land lord, Mr. Treblex ; Morris-Dancers, Messrs. Trip, Tap, Flip, Flap, &c., &c. ; Jack Padding, Mr. Merryman. How the Squire celebrates his birthday, and the Village Revel that follows—Coming of Age in the Olden Time— How the Tenantry treated in one way and how Jack is treated in another—the Dog's instinct and Mother Hub bard's reason. THE " CAGE" ON THE COMMON (Sunset). _ _ Grand Scena Comique and Pas de Broomstick, by Mother Hubbard. The Dreamer and the Worker—The Vision of Pleasure and the Division of Labour—Figures of Fun (from the Fancy. store of Dykwynkyn) - Messrs. Mason, Drainpipes, Carpenter, Hodnian, Old Brick, and Yount , Shaver, Lilli putian Labourers, Pigmy Plasterers, TinfTilers, Minia ture Masons, Baby Bricklayers, Short Sawyers, Dwarf Drain Makers, and Child Carpenters by a Host of Juvenile Auxiliaries. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, The Rat, Master Longwhisker ; The Cat, Miss Mouser; The Dog, By I - Droself; The Cow, Madame Brindle; The Priest ("All shaven and shorn"), Mr. Jollyman; The Cock (" That crowed in the Morn") Master Cocky-doodle doo. Realisation of the famous Picture in the National Gal lery of Little Britain, taken (by permission) for Boys, from a rare work in the collection of Master Smith, London. FROGP OOL IN THE MARSHES (Twilight). Song, " Will o' the Wisp," composed by J. H. Tully, Esq. How the Squire goes Hunting and loses his way and his temper, and what follows in consequence—Another curious instance of Canine sagacity—Bull-frogs, Masters Hop, Skip, Jump, Creak, &c. SQUASH-HOLLOW SWAMP AND BED OF BULRUSHES. How the Squire comes to grief and afterwards to repent ance, and how Jack is recognised as the rightful heir—The reward and harmonious movements of the Fairies on a Grand Chromatic Scale towards WILL 0' WISP'S HOME BENEATH THE WATERFALL. The Transformation. Harlequins Messrs. CORMACK and ST. MAINE, Columbines Pantaloons Messrs. G. TANNER and MORLEY. Clowns Grotesque 1861-1862 SPRITES by the RIDGIVAYS and SUIVELL FAMILY. 1.-EXTERIOR OP TWO SHOPS IN " UP-OR. DOWN" STREET. Messrs. Huline, St. Maine, Tanner, and Miss S. Gunnies. Christmas P esents—every Man (and Boy) to his Post, even the Post-Man—Clown rides the high horse, which proves his rock a-head—Two Young Men from the Country, and Clown gets over them—a Sewing Machine (not a poor Needlewoman)—a thorough Blow out—a Man in very re duced circumstance—Clown finds the Fruits of stealing Apples in an elephantine way—a Band of Brothers—the Police in Great and Small Force—Clown gets into a row and blows up a policeman—the end of this scene is all Bustle—N.B. Not Crinoline. 2.-THE GREAT SENSATION KITCHEN. Messrs, Forrest, Corrrack, Morley, and Miss Gunniss. Harlequin seeks Protection, although a Free-trader— The Cook's Guide—Clown tries to take the chair—the head dish of the table—Harlequin goes through a Deal, and Clown becomes a Board-er—Silence those dreadful Bells— Clown and Pantaloon make an ap-Peal to the Audience on the Merry Musical Bells—Pantaloon rather hard pressed— arrival of a distinguished Foreigner—Clown falls into his own trap, and kills a Blue-bottle, which proves a bad Buzz-ness for him—a Lecture on the Gorilla, by a well known character—Clown meets with a few Friends (not Quakers)—this Scene ends at the finish of it. 3.-THE INTERIOR OF A RAILWAY STATION. Eight hours at the Se t-side for 2s 6d—Duty off Paper— " 'the Times" reduced and the Times on the rise—a book that takes leafe of Clown—Harlequin gets his horse from a Stall and sets up a trap. No Smoking a•Loud, only on the Quiet —Clown makes a Tremendous Christmas Tree— late arrivals—Messrs. Neverintime, Toolate, Dearme, and Blessme—Clown burns his fingers (not the only per: on that has done so)—Clown gives Good Bail and finds a Bale of goods. 4.—The SEA-SIDE. The Sands I The Sands I I The Sands I ! Come unto these yellow sands. A Sailor telling a Yarn and a boat Lying too—the Pier Master's ap-Pierance—Clown makes a Man's hair turn - sandy anti proves himself in the wrong box—by a slight Miss-Take, which a certain Miss won't Take —Pantaloon gets some shell-fish in a very Selfish manner—Clown asto nishes.the Natives—Sailors that use their Cut-Lasses but don't Cut Lasses when they can join with them in a National Hornpipe—Clown gets a Sensation Leader-1 he Great Donkey Siir St. Leger—Clown and Pantaloon's Concert—fine ears for Music—they fish in troubled waters —a Divided Interest—a sudden Squall (Children and all) —The Latest Novelty in Parrchutes. Scene—A DISMAL SWAMP—After a storm a calm appears, a HARLEQUIN'S HOME ON HIS THRONE OF SPLENDOUR. - - - --• Doors open at half-past Six, to commence at Seven o'clock. Tickets for Boxes, Pit, and Galleries, may be had at the Box Office before the opening. t(-)IAL ENGLISH OPERA, Uuder the m an C OVENT GARDEN. agement of , r llarrison. Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. THIS EVENING, Miss SusanrlßlTAN'S DAUGHTER. Miss Louisa Pyne, Mr. Georizt, Honey, Air. p s a t e ; Mr. Santley, Mr. 11. Corri, Distin, Mr. Wallworth, Mr. -b3'r' Aibyn, Mr. T. and Mr. W. Harrison. •ngene Dussek, Mr. C. Lyall, Conductor, Mr. ALFRND A /FL After which will be produced (vetitt 4 LON. Morton), a Grand Comic Christ!nas PaenLZpressly by J. M. lIAIII.EQUIN GULLIVER ; or, A Trip trnoeil entitled peep at Lilliput, and a Flying. Visit to L r a? b u ( t lik9 ' ll.a2. ' a Gulliver, Mr. W. If. Payne ; Mrs. Gulaver, mr:/', • i;a Principal danseuse, Mdlle. Lamoureux, supported b y y ne. Ladies of the Corps de Ba llet. The Harlequin:vie rustainthed by the eminent I': ntomimists, Yi es i:s. 11. Payne, 1 , . Payne, 11. Lauri, E. Lauri, S. Lauri , and M J bliss enny Lauri. Commence at Seven. • r 1 1 EA T Y Ikkwee, DIr„1. M r , I , l :i i t l ;.J. MARK E T ' THIS EVENING, Dee. 23, Sterling Coyne's Cc meily, BLACK SHLEr. Ille.zsrs. Buck Atone, Compton, Ilowe, Villiers, Mrs. C. Young, Mrs. Wilkins, &e. Alter which, a Comic Christmas Pantomime, LITTLE MISS MUFFET AND LITTLE BOY BLUE ; or, Harle quin and Old D,ddy Longlegs. Louise Leclereq, CharLs Le clercq, Tier; Cole, G. Becket, and Miss R6Sille. Commence a 7 THORLEY'S FOOD for CATTLE, a Condiment for seasoning all kinds of common provender. A barrel, containing 448 feeds, carriage paid for post order, 405., payable to the Inventor, JOSEPH THORLEY, Newgatc street, City, London. THORLEY'S ENTIRE FEEDING MEAL, price £l6 per ton, free to rail in London, composed of Locust Beans, Maize, Linseed, &c„ seasoned with Thorley's Condiment. Barrels, 12 stone each, 305., carriage paid.— Newgate-street, City. • OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Lessee, Mr A. Harris. THIS EVENING, Saturday, Dec. 28, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. After which will be produced, a Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled 'WHITTING TON AND HIS CAT ; or, Harlequin King Kollywobbol and the Genius of Good Humour. The g - rotesque opening invented and written by Henry J. Byron, Esq., author of the Princess's Pantomime of "Jack the Giant Killer." The Scenery by Mr. James Gates, Mr. H. Cuthbert, and numerous assistants. Good Humour, Miss Helen Howard ; Princess Popsiwopsi, Miss Rose Leclercq; Alice, Miss Pauline Le clercq; Messrs. Garden, Cathcart, Morland, Collett, Hast ings, Raymond; Dick Whittington, Miss Maria Harris; Robin Goodfellow and the Cat, Master John Ilaslem, (pupil of the celebrated Gabriel Ravel; Clown, Mr. Hildyard ; Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri ; Pantaloon, Mr, Paulo ; Colum bine, Miss Caroline Adams. Morning Performances will take place at Two o'clock on Monday, Dec 30, and every fol lowing Monday till further notice. EW TH HATRE-R0 YAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. 300th, 310th, 311th Nights of the Engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Dion Boucicault. The Two Great Dramas. THIS EVENING, and during the week the great Drama, entitled THE OCTOROON ; or, LIFE IN LOUISIANA': Messrs. Grace, Billington, Emery, Phillip , , Jamison, Smith, Stephenson, Romer. Lewis ; Mrs. Billington, Mrs. H. Mar ston, Miss C. Denvil, Miss Latimer, and Mrs. H. Lewis. After which, at 20 minutes past 9, the great Irish Drama of THE COLLEEN BAWN. Mr. and Mrs. Dion Boucteault, Mr. Fisher, ➢iiss Woolgar, Ate. Box Office open from 10 t;11 5. NEW ROYALTY THEATRE, Dean-street, Oxford-street. Under the Direction of Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. THIS EVENING, A LES SON FOR HUSBANDS ; characters by Mr. Sinclair, Mesas. Clifford and Terry. After which, CAMELIA ; Camelia, Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. Fol lowed by a New Operatic Burlesque, entitled THE 1 7 FRY LATEST EDITION OF IL TROVATOR 143 ; or, Who Killed the —; Messrs. Graham, Robins, James, Warren, W. Worboys ; Mesds. Mason, Craven, and Hodson. To con lude with new and ortAnal Farce, A NICE QUIET DAY.—Commence at half-past 7. C ANTERBU RY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. Immense Entertainment for the Christmas Holidays. Mr. MARSHALL'S Grand Christmas Dish, "THE EN CHANTED HASH" (SECOND EDITION), written ex pressly for him by W. F. Vandervell, Esq.—Mr. Frederick French, the great Shakesperian Burlesque Vocalist.—Mr. J. G. Forde.—Miss Harriet Covency, and Miss Greene. Grand Selections from TROVATORE and LA 'I'llA VTATA, By Miss Russell, Mr. Herbert, Signor Tivoli, and full Choras. Musical Director, Mr. Jonghmans. Admission—Hall, 6d. ; Stels and Balcony, is. CANTERBURY HALL.-VICTOR JULIEN, " THE FLYING MAN " (from Paris), on the Trapeze, will make his First Appearance on MONDAY, the 30th De• cember. TH E 0 X F O R D 6, OXFORD-STREET, EVERY EVENING. Grand Selections from "LA CIRCASSIENNE," "Mac beth," and " Ernani," by Miss Russell, Miss Ernst, and Madame Enderssohn ; Messrs. Albert, W. Morley, Greene, and C. Greville. Full Band and Chorus.—Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmaiis. Varied Vocal and Instrumental Entertainments, the Comic portion by Messrs. Sam Collins, M. P. Foster, E. Marshall, W. Randall. and Miss Harriet Coveney. Commence at 6 o'clock during the Christmas Holidays. 'HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY.—Morniiag, 10h. 25m.—Afternoon, llh. 3m. TO-MORROW. -Morning, 11b. Wm.—Afternoon, h. m. TIIE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 28, 1861. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 36—!•ighest since noon yesterday. 32—lowest this morning and during the night. 36—this day at noon. BAROMETER-30.54; falling. WIND Easterly ; rather fresh, with fine sunshiny weather, but cold. 1,0 OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. A V , 31anager--Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENIN , ;, Dec. 2 2 , the new and original Drama, entitled PEEP O'DAY ; or, SavourneenMessrs. Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles Stlby, Edmund loal conel,: Mes. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston. •---• After which, a new and original Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD; or, Th Fairies of the Rose, the Thistle, and the Shamrcck. Principal charac ters by Mr Chas. Selby, Mr. Warlow, Miss Cicely Nott, and Miss Lydia Thoapson. Acting Manager—Mr. F. B. Ch itterton. v!Nize2: ußual. Doors open at half past 6, to commence at .°la ce Open daily from 11 till 5.- la . 4 ,„,i,:x,.., .rt $v ' 2 " ki''' 3 ,? ..e. ~ try ,,,,..,,,.....„„0.„,..,,44., ,„...„; „ t-1 ,- .',.,,,c,",., ~ • ',, . V c , f_s:.l... .i . :* ( ,:‘. ~, _ • i,--4,-iT.: . .2.1.*:,..pi.4 ei, , , ',.. \'• ' ~, ,; *0 '-'-z . :4 , •46,:F ic ,..,!,',5'-‘;,..‘,...'.' '', bitoil , '. ' 2 , , i"za . -. •t- ---'"- ' , ...i.-,1 Ot* ~ ..., 1 1.1'.4-,, , ~.... R A . ail, ~.; THE SUN. LONDON, SATURDAY, DEC. 28, 1861. Most persons smiled when . they heard that the United States' Government, after the twelfth hour, proposed to accede to the treaty of Paris, and to abolish privateering. It seemed very doubt ful whether the secession of the Confederate States had brought any accession of humanity to the old Government. Still it was not very clear, just at first, what was the object of the move. It was always represented that the South had not the means to fit out privateers, and it was not thought likely that any of the States of Europe would per mit them to be furnished from their harbours. Generally, we supposed that as the North was the greater trader, and alone had a navy, the South had no maritime resource but privateering, and would d o its best to avail itself of it. Hence the North, for the present gain of getting rid of the Southern privateers, was willing to give up, itself, the use of them for the future. This supposition, ungenerous as it appeared, is however correct to the letter ; from the correspon dence now published between Lord JOHN RUSSELL and Mr. SEWARD, the cunning and meanness of the American Government is self-evident, Indeed, with that hardness peculiar to Yankeedom, there appears scarcely any wish to conceal the true cha racter of the transaction, when it began to be seen through. Mr. SEWARD says almost openly, "We now desire to adhere to the Paris treaty; but we do so from no conviction of the barbarism of the practice of privateering, but because if the powers of Europe accept our adhesion, they will be bound to hang all Southern privateers wherever they may meet them ; and we, moreover, shall be backed up by their respectable authority in doing the same." The fact is that the negotiations went on swim mingly till it came to this point, and then they fell through. Lord JOHN wished the American Govern ment to sign the treaty just as all other honest Governments had done. Oh, said Mr. SEWARD, it is a point of form; our foreign transactions are conducted under the approval of the Senate, and a convention will be the easiest form for that body to take cognisance of the business. Anything to please you to that extent, says Lord JOHN, and the convention was drafted ; it was, however, so drafted as to enable the Federals to claim of Great Bri tain that she should treat the Southern privateers es pirates, but here Lord JOHN demurred. Seeing the drift of the convention, he proposed to sign it on the part cf the Queen with this declaration,—" In affixing his signature to the convention of this day, between her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America, the Earl RUSSELL declares, by order of her Majesty, that her Majesty does not intend to undertake any engagement which shall have any bearing, direct or indirect, on the internal differences now prevailing in the United States." Mr. SEWARD at once calls off—he had no thought of humane considerations, not he; in abolishing pri vateering, he wanted merely to use abolition of this barbarous practice as the means of putting down Southern privateering against the North. Now England had recogt:ised the South as a belligerent, to the great annoyance no doubt of Mr. SEWARD, but in so doing we had treated the South as a temporarily, and for warlike Purposes, an independent ow SEWARD wanted us to regard the whole thirty-four States as still a political unit; the consequencet being that the acts o f th e Northern Government would be binding on the So u th. H ence the Northl would be able to declare privateering piracy fortho Confederates as well as for itself ! 10 this, ofcourse, Lord JOHN RUSSELL refused to accede. We deny that the two great ho. -- Aile confederations are still a unit. They arc to us separated de facto ; they are hostile ; they are belligerents. The North cannot now be allowed tc take advantage of the Paris treaty which it refused at the time, as a weapon against the South which then shared with it in its refusal. The North, in conjunction with the eleven seceded States, refuse to give up privateering. Now in the great game of the eleven of the South, against the thirteen of the old Union, the former cannot be deprived by the latter, without their consent, of one of the political conditions on which the game began. It is impossible to put the result of the policy demanded by the United States, and that on which France and England is acting more clearly, than is done by our Foreign Secretary. "It would be folly," he says, in his letter of the 28th of August, " logically and con• sistently, from lithe attitude taken by her MA JESTY'S Government, that the so-called Confede rate States, being acknowledged as a belligerent, might, by the law of nations, arm privateers, and that their privateers must be regarded as the armed vessels of a belligerent. With equal logic and consistency it would follow, from the position taken by the United States, that the privateers of the Southern States might be decreed to be pirates, and it might be further argued by the Go vernment of the United States that a European Power signing a convention with the United States, declaring that privateering was and remains abolished, would be bound to treat the privateers of the so-called Confederate States as pirates. Hence, instead of an agreement, charges of bad faith and violation of a convention might be brought in the United States against the pc wer signing such a convention, and treating the priva teers of the so-called Confederate States as thee° of a belligerent power." Lord JOHN RUSSELL, however, concludes with reciprocating all the friendly sentiments expressed by Mr. ADAMS—wishes to maintain the most friendly relations between the two Governments, but firmly adds, "It is in this spirit that her MAJESTY'S Government decline to bind themselves, without a clear explanation on their part, to a con vention which, seemingly confined to an adoption of the declaration of Paris of 1856, might be con strued as an engagement to interfere in the un happy dissensions now prevailing in the United States—an interference which would be contrary to her MAJESTY'S public declarations, and would be a reversal of the policy which her MAJESTY has deliberately sanctioned." It is among the too many sad proofs of the per version of men's tempers in the States—even of men high in office—that such a paltry piece of political jugglery as this is published by Mr. SEWARD with out a blush. He is not ashamed of higgling over the price of humanity. At this Christmas season we cannot but wonder sometimes what can possibly have become of a very benevolent and promising movement set on foot a twelvemonth or so back by W. D. B. Is it in any way lost altogether to public recollection ? We can hardly induce ourselves to believe this possible. The enterprise was so eminently humane itself, it was so rapid in its growth, it was taken up with such very general cordiality—that we feel per suaded at any rate of this, that it is with very many yet held in agreeable remembrance. The rise of the incipient association—for an association, to all in tents and purposes, it eventually became, though one merely incipient, so to speak, even to the very last, in its character—the rise of the scheme was in the first instance as modest and unostentatious as could well be. One or two anonymous letters—some of them so brief as to be little better than mere notes—in the columns of our leading morning contemporary—prepared the way, almost imperceptibly, for what followed. W. D. B. struck the key-note. Several other letters of the alphabet took up the same theme— with variations. A chord (in the public heart) touched here and there carelessly it seemed, and quite at random, gradually swelled most harmo neously in a choral symphony. One excellent sug gestion followed another. Funds dropped in, in guineas and banknotes, until one or two hundreds had quickly multiplied into as many thou sands. A meeting was at last convened by the generous-hearted gentleman who, somewhat doubtless to his own surprise, found himself to have become the originator of a really popular and wholly unpremeditated movement. This as semblage was holden one evening in an excessively over-crowded room upon the ground-floor of the Old Thatched House Tavern in St. James's street. W. D. B. appeared there in propria persona as Mr. W. DAVENPORT BROMLEY—who explained to a sympathising audience the circumstances in which the whole of this kindly project had originated. A Duke was in the chair—was it not his grace the Duke of MARLBOROUGH ? Several speeches—ex tremely to the purpose—were delivered haphazard by this person and by that. More moneys showered in upon the hon. secretary or pro. tent. treasurer. All the contributions then and previously col lected were, to the uttermost farthing, afterwards most carefully and with the utmost possible dis cretion distributed. But—there really and truly, so far as we can in any way learn, the whole of this most humane enterprize appears to have terminated. Its aim will still, of course, be very well remem bered. It was designed to supplement all the asso ciations previously in existence for the relief of ex treme destitution. It was to interfere with none of the old benevolent institutions. It was rather to be a pendant to them all. Its promoters aspired to be come not simply the relievers of distress, when applied to for assistance. They designed to go in search of the direst miseries hiding away in the squalid courts and back sums of the metropolis,an d— with their own hand, not vicariously but personally and individually—to carry relief in kind to the most afflicted. Associations of this kind there have long been in active operation in other countries, particu larly in France. But in England the mere sugges tion came to the public ear with all the charm in herent in novelty. A lay association of exactly this very eleemosynary character has but very recently, for political reasons, been suppressed on the opposite shores of the channel by a decree of the Imperial Government. No jealousies of a similar description could be anticipated among ourselves, or dreamt of for one moment as likely to nip a project of this generous description in the bud prematurely. Everything looked propitious for the scheme set agoing by W. D. 8., by Mr. W. DAVENPORT BROMLEY and his sympathisers. Yet—in spite of all this, What has become of it ? The population all this while is steadily increas ing. And miseries are quite as certainly increas ing with it. The reasons there were for organis ing an enterprise of the nature but just now explained, instead of being less, are more numerous. What was recognised as eminently undesirable then—must certainly be recognised as yet more urgently desirable now. If the present winter is milder than the last—as evidenced not merely by the more moderate fluctuations of the t,everities thermometer, but by such signs of the season d e ho e ll 8 3s as the t o t a l a b sence of the scarlet berries upont that theat h boughs—we the m w a in y t r e e r s a t r p e r v e e t r t y y mcoanlyfil ,of them only delayed. Much wretchedness, and many privations, are in store for the very poor and the very humble, particularly in our large cities, above all in our vast and densely peopled capital. And experience still continues t o evidence, what it THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DEOEVIBER 28. 1861. has so often demonstrated only too painfully before now, that it is not enough to aid the destitute who ask for assistance. But that there are others who are probably in yet more dire extremity, who have to be hunted out, in order that society may come to their relief before it is altogether too late—before the only boon that can be afforded them shall have been reduced to the posthumous gift of a work house shell and the slovenly tribute of a pauper's funeral. Recollecting these bitter truths, as one cannot very well help remembering them at this return of the good Christmas season, we cannot but express a hope that something further may yet be learnt of IV. D. B.'s really beautiful and eminently benevolent enterprise. Though the answer to our ultimatum will be delayed for more than a week, we fully hope to be able to inform our readers on Monday, of the recep tion given by the multitude and by the Press of America to the news carried out by the Europa. They had previously only the information taken by the Hansa, from which they merely learned that we meant to act legally; and the fact that we were not in as wild a fury, as they well know they would have been, was taken by them as an indication that we should receive this last insult as meekly as we have borne so many before. The fact of an ultimatum arriving, and the information that all Englishmen, her Naval Reserve included, were united as one man in de manding satisfaction, will come upon them almost like a thunder-clap in a clear sky. And when it will be also quickly learned that France and Austria share the judgment of England on the whole case, we may imagine what mingled dismay, and fury, and wild resentment, and defiance will be seen and heard in the streets of every American town and city. Not a soul will confess itself afraid—it will be demonstrated that England must be mad to fight America—we are told, in anticipation, that " our country is nourished of the PRESIDENT'S country," and therefore, like some of old, we must desire con ditiots of peace—and, that America can shift for her self, but what could needy England do without American corn and cotton. The latter we should certainly get all the more easily for a war, and as to the corn, the North-west needs our markets to sell in much more than we do theirs to buy in. Such facts are, however, not to be thought of by the mob whose orders Mr. LINCOLN must execute. Were the whole question left to him, or even to the cunning Mr. SEWARD, we could hardly doubt what the practical answer would be; they but too well know what the issue of war must be ; they quite understand that the South would be at once released from its blockade, and its independence recognised ; that then our ports must submit to blockade in return ; and that even if they choose themselves to acknowledge the South, and turn North to Canada, their advan tage there would be very doubtful; at least tempo rary, and that they would have to pay a heavy penalty in Maine, if not elsewhere also for unpro voked villany. We can hardly imagine, however, that even the mob will not give in when it learns the course taken by France. The bluster may last till the Em- PEROR'S letter arrives, but that will assuredly extin guish it. A merit will be made of necessity. Old friendship will be assigned as the mason for giving way, and common-sense will return under the Gallic discipline. The only possibility is, that the mob may have frightened Mr. LINCOLN into a course from which he cannot retreat before the French letter arrives. It is impossible, therefore, to predict with any certainty to what such a reckless people may have committed themselves and their Govern ment. Nine months unsucessful war, and forty mil lions deficiency, besides boundless debt staring them in the face, ought to make them sober if anything would do so. Whether it will do so we shall per haps know in a few hours have some idea. ROYAL 110.R7ICULTU.R IL SOCIETY. At a meeting of the council specially summoned yesterday, the following m )st gracious and affect ing communication, addressed to Mr. C. Wentworth Dilke, one of the vice-presidents, was received : (Copy of letter from Sir C. B. Phipps to Mr. Dilke.) " Osborne, Dec. 24, 1861. " My dear Dilke,—The Queen has directed me to inform you that it is her Majesty's wish that the Horticultural Gardens should be considered as under her peculiar and personal patronage and protection. " The only consolation that her Majesty can hope to find for the rest of her life, under her biter and hopeless bereavement, is to endeavour to carry out the wishes and intentions of her beloved husband. " The Queen well knows the aeep interest that he took in this undertaking, and would wish to have periodical re ports sent to her Majesty of the progress and proceedings of the society,—Sincerely yours, " C. B. PHIPPS." The public will be interested to learn that the famous astrologer, Zadkiel, the Nostradamus of his day, is about to issue from the press a new sixpenny Quaterly, entitled, " The Voice of the Stars." The initial number is announced to appear upon New Year's Day. THE HEALTH OF LORD BROUGHAM.—SeveraI of the French journals have published a paragraph stating that " Lord Brougham, at the unexpected intelligence of Prince Albert's death, was so dreadfully affected that he fainted, and that it was necessary to carry his lordship im mediately from the garden into the house, where an attack of fever supervened, but which gave way afterwards to pro. per medical treatment," This statement, a letter from Cannes informs us, has caused the greatest surprise to all the persons admitted to his lordship's intimacy, as not only has Lord Brougham never fainted in his life, but in the present case was in a measure prepared for the sad in telligence by letters previously received. His lordship also has net been attacked by fever or any other ailment, but continues in excellent health, The whole account is a mere fiction in every respect, without a shadow of foundation.— Galignani. His Majesty the King of the Belgians, attended by Count de Moerkerke and Dr. Koepl, arrived at Osborne yesterday. Yesterday an order was received at Liverpool from the Admiralty to detain till Monday the Pacific Com pany's new steamer Peru, announced to sail to day for Val paraiso. The Peru will carry out reinforcements and stores for the Pacilic squadron. THE VALUE OF TOBACCO IMPORTED.—From a return to Parliament issued yesterday, it appears that in the month ended the 30th ult. the value of tobacco imported was £247,737 ; and in the 11 months as much as £1,298,596. Upwards of eight millions, including the duty, are annually spent in tobacco. THE MAILS, &C.—SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 27. Two of the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers were despatched hence to-day, the Delta, Capt. J. S. Field, taking the Mediterranean and Bombay mails, and the Tagus, Capt. W. B. Hall, having the mails for Vigo, Oporto, and Liston. The Tagus has 37 passengers, of whom 4 are first class, 22 . second, and 11 deck. On freight the Delta takes 945 boxes of specie, &c., value £245,198, for Bombay, viz.,—bar silver, £251,050; dollars, £495; sovereigns, £2,500; and gold leaf, watches, &c., £153. The number of passengers by the Delta is 26 first class and 10 second, among whem are Major Hibbert, for Gibraltar; Commander Adams, for Aden; Lieutenant and Mrs. C. J. Chambers, Commander Foulerton, Capt. and Mrs. Curtis, Capt. Selby, and Staff Assistant-Surgeon Dolan, for Bom bay. Among the passengers (16in all) by the corresponding Marseilles steamer are Capt. E. R. Bradford, Lieut. J. E. Mackintosh, Lieut. G. W. Bradford, Capt. J. M. Heath, Major J. H. B. Dennis, and Lieut. Sedley, for Bombay. Lieut. F. W. Rutherford, for Bombay, joins at Alexandria.. The Saxonia, Capt. Ehlers, leaves for New York on Wed nesday next with mails and passer gers ; the Atrato, Capt. Woolley, on Thursday, with the West India, Pacific, and Mexican mails ; the Pera, Capt. Jamieson, on Saturday, with the Calcutta and China mails; and the Dane, Capt. Hoffman, on the sth inst., for Ascension, St. Helena, and the Cape of Good Hope. The Shannon, Capt. Abbott, is due here on Sunday, but expected to arrive hourly, with the West India, Mexican, and Pacific mails; the Alham bra, Capt. Steward, on Tuesday, with mails from Lisbon, Oporto, and Vigo; the Norman, Capt. Boxer, on Wednes day, with the Cape of Good Hope mails; the Hansa, Capt. Von Santem, on Thursday, with mails from New York of the 21st inst. ; the Ceylon, Capt. Evans, on Saturday, but expected a day or two earlier, with the East India and China mails; and the Oneida, Captain Bevis, on Sunday, the sth of January, With the River Plate and Brazil mails. r , ._ ,~ REAR-ADMIRAL MUNDY, C.B.—lt is stated that the country is about to lose the services of Rear-Admiral Rodney Mundy, C.B. This distinguished naval officer, who has lately returned from the Mediterranean, is in so precarious a state of health that he has felt it incumbent on him to intimate to the Admiralty his intention to resign his command. STEAM SHIPBUILDING ON THE CLYDE.—Messrs. J. and G. Thomson, of Govan, have launched a fine screw named the Cortes, intended to run between Cadiz and Havannah, being the first of a fleet of steamers destined for that line by the Spanish Steam Navigation Company of Cadiz. The Cortes is 2,200 tons burden, and 500 horse power ; she has a lifting screw propeller, and all recent improvements, and will be fitted for the accommodation of 170 first-class and 70 second• class passengers. Messrs. Charles Connel and Co. have launched, at Overnewton, a screw of 600 tons, built for Messrs. Handysides and Hen derson, and intended for the Mediterranean trade. The vessel has been named the Livorno, and is now being en gined by Messrs. A. and J. Inglis, Whitehall Foundry. Messrs. Connel and Co. have now on the stocks a fine iron ship of 1,000 tons, building for Messrs. G. Smith and Sons and intended for the Calcutta trade. ACCIDENT AT A RAILWAY STATION.—A shocking fatal accident occurred on Thursday afternoon at the New cross station of the London and Brighton Railway Com pany. It appears that about 200 persons were waiting for the down train to the Crystal Palace. Among them were two sons of Mr. Samuel Ambrose Davies, a gentleman re siding at 4, South• street-terrace, Rye-lane, Peckham, aged respectively 13 and 22. So soon as the train came into the station a rush was made by the persons assembled to get into the carriages, when the deceased fell between the platform and the line of rails, the wheels of the still moving train passing completely over his body and mutilating him in a shocking manner. His brother, seeing him fall, en deavoured to rescue him, and in doing so sustained severe injury to one of his feet, two of the toes of which were severed by the wheels of a carriage passing over them When extricated the deceased presented a frightful spec tacle, and expired almost immediately after being taken into a waiting-room at the station. THE CLYDE.—Of the Clyde it is impossible to speak in other language than that of admiration. It is but the fourth river in Scotland in volume of fresh water, and the third in length; inferior to the Forth or Tay in High. land scenery, and to the Tweed in pastoral beauty ; but it is superior to all of them in utility, in artificial improvement, in manufactures, in commerce, and in the triumphs of me chanical genius. The improvements on this river have, we must say, been conducted on a scale of unusual magni ficence. About a century ago its depth at the point where the Kelvin discharges into its channel was only 18 inches at low water, and 44 inches at high water. Its course, far below Dumbarton, abounded in shallow lagoons, inter spersed with low islets and marshy ground. By judicious engineering operations, spread over a series of years, ac companied with an enormous expenditure of capital, it is now as navigable as the Thames. In fact, by dint of dredg ing, cutting, excavating, and embanking, to the tune of about a million and a half sterling, the navigable depth of the river has been increased, within the last 50 or 60 years, from 3 ft to 20ft, and the revenue from £3,000 to £90,000 per annum. The Broomielaw harbour is at this moment nothing less than half a mile of excellent docks—we need not say how much crowded ; and the contrast is indeed great between the small fishing sloops and Virginia traders which once unloaded their treasures on the same spot and the gigantic iron steamer and the merchantman of 2,000 tons, which now constitute the honour and glory of the Clyde. THE USE OF POISONED GRAIN BY FARMERS.— The practice of scattering abroad poisoned grain for the de. struction of rooks and small birds has very much increased of late. The very dangerous consequences attendant on this practice is shown by a letter which a magistrate has written to the Field:—" In the course of the sowing time last year my keepers told me that they picked up no less than 17 pheasants in one field. I have a large manorial dovecote, containing at times from 200 to 300 pigeons, which were accustomed to fly in flights of 40 or 50. I was surprised to miss every bird in its flight about three weeks since, and sent my servant to the dovecote, where he picked up 79 dead birds, and 10 more in a dying state. The birds were buried, but I had two dug up and sent to my medical man to analyze. On examination there was not a particle of food in their crops, which led to the conclusion that the poison was arsenic, as it is a great promot r of digestion. I am informed that chemists sell a mixture, of which arsenic is the foundation, and that farmers sow it broadcast over the land. On consultation with medical men very eminent in my neighbourhood they were of opinion that if a labourer were to pick up a bird and take it to his family for dinner (a not unlikely thing), it would be highly dangerous to human life. If any man is brought before me, in case a fatal result occurring, I will undoubtedly commit him for trial." A DUEL AT PARIS.--A duel between M. Stevens, a Belgian painter, and the well-known Parisian artist, M. Gerome, haq caused some excitement in the artistical world. It may be recollected that a few years ago M. Gerome, ex hibited a painting of considerable merit, entitled the "Due of Pierrst," and by a singular coincidence M. Gerome has been wounded under circumstances very similar to those which he illustrated in the above painting, for although not exactly on leaving a masked ball, it was after a dinner party he had been giving to some friends that the quarrel occurred which led to a duel. The antagonists were placed 30 paces apart, and M. Stevens, being the insulted party, fired first. His ball entered M. Gerome's right arm under the wrist, grazed the bone without injuring it, came out again just below the elbow, then penetrated into the biceps above the elbow-joint, and came out on the opposite side. M. Gerome is now doing well. INSURANCE FACTS AND THE CLOSING YEAR.— The insurance statistics of the year reveal some very inte resting and instructive insurance facts. During 1861, 13 companies have ceased to exist, 10 have transferred their business, five new ones have been founded, and 19 pro- Ijected. Forty-nine are now in Chancery under a winding up process, seven of these having obtained admission into this select list since our last annual stock-taking. Six companies have changed their place of business, and one branch office has been opened. Four secretaries, two actu aries and fivemanagers have been appointed to fill up vacancies caused by resignation and otherwise. The chairmen of two insurance companies have been elected M.P.'s by two very large and influential constituencies. Four directors, two managers, and one medical officer have died during the year. One manager, one actuary, and one secretary, being incapacitated by old age or aniction, have retired into pH vete life. Since the year 1844, 599 companies have been projected, 267 founded, 246 have ceased to exist, 52 have opened branch offices, 187 have changed their places of business ; eleven amalgamations have been effected ; 144 offices have transferred their businesses to other institutions, and 49 have been, or are being, wound up in Chancery. Ninety •th ree Insurance companies have discontinued their fire business, or in cases where they were only fire offices they have been dissolved.—The News. MR. G. F. TRAIN ON THE TRENT AFFAIR.—The _London American gives an account of a discussion at the " Forum" on the Trent affair, on Monday night last. Mr. G. F. Train, the tramway contractor, was present, and spoke in a tone strangely at variance with his silly and bombastic letter to the New York _Herald. He now admi that his countrymen have committed a wrong to England, and advises them to give up the prisoners. He said:— "At first patriotism overshadowed judgment, rind I said give up the men only at the point of the cannon. I now say, in any case, give up the men. (Cheers.) On com peting notes all the analogies have fallen to the ground. Everett and Sumner have been handsomely floored in the Laurens case, and Bonaparte, M'Manus, and the Caroline seizures are not analogous to the Trent. (Hear, hear.) The water runs through them all. Lord Stowell, Wheaton, Phillimore, Kent, Person, Pratt, Vette], Puffendorf, and even old Grotius decline to give their assistance. It seems the Mason and Slidell capture is entirely original with Wilkes. International law has not provided for it. My opinion began to waver some days since, and when the author of the Maritime Law of Nations' gave Lord Palmerston his special decision, I was convinced that the Americans had not got a leg to stand upon. (Cheers.) America, in 1812, made war on account of the very act which Wilkes has committed. The flag covers every thing. (Applause.) M. Hautfeuille is clear in his analysis. Between neutral nations there can be no war—hence no belligerents—no right of search—nothing contraband. (Applause.) Denmark and Spain are at pease—Havana belongs to the one—St. Thomas the other. The Trent, belonging to another neutral, is steaming away peacefully, when the San Jacinto, owned by still another neutral, commits the offence that has aroused the lion into a war frenzy I and no wonder, (Hear, and applause,) America would have been wild under the insult, So would France. The incoming mail will bring a clever argument from our premier —perhaps se clever as to evade the question—but I cannot see where he will find his point, While there is no analogy for Wilkes, England can point to a else that justifies the Cabinet of Washington in giving up the men. Lord Mulgrave, of the British ship Ardent, captured the Dutch ship Hendrica and Alida, bound from Holland to St. Eustatia, with arms and munition, and five military passengers, and carried them to the Prize Court, at Portsmouth. Sir George Hay decided that, inasmuch as she was bound from one neutral port to another, there could be nothing contraband of war. Hence the ship was libe rated—and the five officers, with commissions in their pocket from the rebel commissioner Benjamin Franklin, at Paris, to join the rebel army against England were dis charged. What better precedent does Mr, Seward require for action on the Mason-Slidell affair ? (Hear,) I again say, give up the men I I hors that Seward will do it graciously, that ho will scud them over in a war skip— (cheers)—that he will meet with a manly spirit the haughty demand of this proud nation, (Hear.) Nay, more, I hope that the Cabinet of Washington will not only give up the men, but will send a despatch to Halifax offering a free pass through Portland to the bold winter army—at the ex pense of the American people —on their way to Canada," _EARL BUSsELL'-s' DESPATCH TO LORD LI-O.AS. At a meeting of British residents at Hamburg, on Monday last, to pass au address of condolence to the Queen, and one to the Princess of Prussia, Mr. Ward, the British Consul-General and Chargé d'Affaires, took the opportunity to make some ex planations respecting the American difficulty. He said (according to a report in the Hamburger Nach richten) that the British Government had informed the American Minister in London that they could not look upon the burning of the Harvey Birch by the Nashville as an act of piracy, and that as a neutral Power they could not refuse to allow the Nashville to enter and remain in an English har bour, but that they would strictly maintain the law which forbade the fitting out of a ship of war belonging to the Confederates or the shipping of English sailors. Referring to the Trent affair, Mr. Ward announced the contents of the despatch addressed by Earl Russell to Lord Lyons, and stated that it was couched in a very moderate tone. It first described the forcible removal of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, with their secretaries, as Commander Williams had reported the occurrence to the Ad miralty. It contained nothing of the known opi nions of the Crown jurists, but described the re moval of the commissioners simply and decidedly as a breach of international law, and as an affront to the British flag; and, in conclusion, stated that the English Government did not for a moment doubt the harmony and the friendly relations existing with America, nor that the commander of the San Jacinto had made seizure without having received instructions from his Government, and were confident that the Washington Cabinet would not hesitate to do all they could under the circum stances—that was to say, to surrender immediately the four commissioners, and to offer an adequate atonement for the offence to the British flag. Mr. Ward then reminded his hearers that, according to the resolutions at the Conferences at Paris, a neutral flag covered an enemy's goods, and he had no doubt that if the right of search were exercised uncondi tionally by American ships of war, English mer chants would yet be placed in a more secure posi tion respecting their property on board English ships, so long as they conformed to the terms of the proclamation respecting contraband of war. The meeting received the remarks of Mr. Ward with great applause. TEE DEFENCE OF OUR PORTS. A writer in a contemporary says :—Allow me to direct attention to the defenceless condition of the port of Greenock. I believe no port of equal import ance lies so invitingly open to attack by an enemy's cruiser, It is not, like Liverpool, protected by any difficulties in the navigation of the frith. The course from the Atlantic to the roads is so completely free from impediments, either natural or artificial, that a stranger without the aid of buoys or beacons, and without the slightest risk of molestation, could easily run in the largest frigate and lay her within 200 yards of the shore at any point from one end of the town to the other. This will hardly be believed, but it is nevertheless the fact, for, although there are_in Greenock three companies of volunteer artil lery, three on the opposite side of the river, and a brigade comprising 14 companies at Glasgow-22 miles distant, and communicating with both shores by railway—there is not a single gun in position which could be brought to bear on an enemy's ship approaching or lying before the town. This will appear still more unaccountable when it is remem bered that about two miles below Greenock the channel is contracted by the peninsula of Roseneath to a width of about 2-1 miles, thus affording peculiar facilities for its defence by works on both sides. It is true that on the Greenock shore a fort was erected several years ago at this point, and armed with seven 68-pounders, but these are at present dis mounted, the platforms having given way, while on the Roseneath shore there is neither fort nor arma ment, and thus the passage is perfectly unobstructed, and the 1,000 well trained artillerymen, who would, in case of need, most willingly illustrate the effi ciency of our " system of local defences," if only they had the means of doing so, are utterly impotent. THE ROYAL NAVAL FORCES. The following is a list of vessels of the Royal Navy on the home stations, compiled from official sources. It comprises the flag-officers and ships in commission, together with the number of guns, men, horse power, and tonnage : Commander-in-Chief at the Note—Vice-Admiral William J. Hope Johnstone. Commander-in• Chief at Portsmouth—Vice -Admiral Sir Henry K. Bruce, K C.B. Commander-in-Chief at Devonport—Vice-Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, K.C.B. Commander on the Coast of Ireland—Rear-Admiral Charles Talbot. In command of the Channel Squadron—Rear-Admiral Hobert Smart, K.II. Admiral-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard—Rear- Admiral the Hon. George Grey. Admiral-Superintendent of Devonpat Dockyard—Rear- Admiral Sir Thomas S. Pasley, Bart. Commodore-Superintendent of Woolwich Dockyard—Sir F, W. E. Nicolson, Bart., C.B. Captain-Superintendent of Deptford Dock and Victualling Yard—Claude H. M. Buckle, C.B. Captain-Superintendent of Chatham Dockyard—Edward G. Fanshawe. Captain-Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard—Charles WiBe. Captain-Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard—George Ramsay, U.B. Captain-Superintendent of the Royal William Victualling• yard, Plymouth—Douglas Curry. Captain-Superintendent of the Royal Clarence Victualling. yard, Gosport-1 ho Hon. George F. Hastings, C. 13, Ships. Guns Men. H.-p. Tons. Stations. Ajax Asia - 2,289 Portsmouth. Blenheim Britannia Cambridge 7B; 620 2,139 Devonport. Castor 22' 66 1,293 N. Shields. Colossus BO, 357 400 2,590 Portland. Confiance .... 1 1 20 100 295 Devonport Cornwallis ...• 60, 357 200 1,809 Hull. Cumberland .. 24' 1001 2,214 Sheerness. Dasher Dauntless Dee 4l 66 200 704 Par. F.' ervice. Defence Eagle Edinburgh Excellent Fisgard Formidable Geyser Hastings .... 60 47 200 I,76olLiverpool. Hawke Hogue Icarus ll' 125 150 580;Devonport. Implacable.... 24 52, I,BB2;Devonport. Impregnable .. 78 177, 2,4o6;Devonport. Indus —, 282 2,o9B'Devonphrt. Jsckall Lyra Majestic Pembroke Pigmy Porcupine Revenge B9 680 800 3,322 Devonport Radamanthus 4 68 220 813 Part. service Rifleman Royal Adelaide 26 138 —H 2,446 Devonport Russell St, Vincent .. Saturn — 36 1 7 616 , Pembroke Supply Stromboli Swallow Trafalgar Vict.and Albert 2 141 600 2,345' Portsmouth Victory Vigilant 4 90 200, 680 Portsmouth Virpgo Warrior 40 660! 1,250! 6 039]Ports mout h Wellesley . 68 Tenders 2OO 2,390: 4,982, 21,742,Vari 0us 47 Coastgrd. do 80 51 — 1 Various 121 Harb.servc —,Various Total .... 1,706 14,452. 15,524 107„598 ----- In addition to the above vessels in commission, there are about 30 ordered by the Admiralty to be placed in readi ness for immediate commission. The Edgar, 89 ; Emerald, 51; and Devastation, 6, are not included in the above list, they being on the point of sailing to North America. GREAT FIRE IN CIIARLESTON, S.C.—FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 13 (via Baltimore, Dec. 14).---By the arrival of a flag of truce it is ascertained that a telegraphic despatch to the .1! or folk Day Book, from Charleston, S.C., states that a fire broke out in that place on Wednesday night, which was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. At the date of the last despatch (5 o'clock, Thursday after noon) the fire was still burning, The theatre in Broad street, the Institute, and other public buildings, are stated to have been destroyed. The fire swept across Broad -street, Assistance was sent from Augusta. LATEST NEWS. BERLIN, DEC. 27. It is stated on good authority that the Prussian Government has made fresh proposals with refer ence to the conclusion of a treaty of commerce between France and the Zollverein. M. Leclerq, the French Plenipotentiary, remains in Berlin awaiting the reply of his Government. VIENNA, DEC, 27. A rumour has been current to-day on the Bourse that a considerable reduction of the Austrian army is intended. TURIN, DEC. 27. General Klapka has arrived here. Letters received here from Rome state that the Marquis de Lavalette is reported to have proposed to Francis 11. to take up his residence in France. According to the same advices, some disagree ment existed between the Pontifical and Russian Governments. The departure from Rome of Monsignor Chigi, Papal Nuncio to the Court of the Tuileries, ap peared to have been indefinitely proponed. CHINA. PEKIN, OCT. 27. The Emperor of China was expected to leave Zehol on the 26th inst., in order to formally receive his father's remains. But few foreigners have been invited to the capital. In consequence of a recommendation from Prince Kung, the Chinese authorities appear desirous of receiving European counsel. This is expected to exercise a favourable influence on the relations between the Chinese Government and the foreign Powers. CANTON, Nov. 15. There is no news of importance from Japan. English men-of-war were cruising among the Japanese islands for the protection of British subjects. Advices from the Northern ports state that Admiral Hope had visited Newchang. The rebels are said to be in the vicinity of Ningpo, the inhabitants of which are fleeing to Shanghai, where all alarm had subsided. Hangchow is reported to be invested by the rebe ls. The Hon. Mr. Anson Burlingame, the American Plenipotentiary, had visited the Governor of Twocwang, by whom he was well received. The visit was returned. Mr. Burlingame afterwards left for Shanghai, on his way to the capital. It is reported that the foreigners in Hankow have been attacked by the " braves" in the streets and even in their own houses, and that placards have been posted up threatening the extirpation of the Europeans. The Hankow and Tiea-tsin markets are in a flourishing condition. INDIA. (BY TELEGRAPH TO POINT DE GALLE.) CALCUTTA, Nov. 29. The Indian Council Act has been proclaimed. A reconciliation has taken place between the Ameer of Cabul and the ruler of Herat. COCHIN CHINA. POINT DE GALLE, Nov, 30. The accounts from Saigon are still unfavourable to the French. Nothing decisive, however, had taken place. The King was fortifying Hue, and was said to be determined to fight to the last ex tremity. SINGAPORE, Nov. 21. The mail steamer Bombay broke her shaft near Penang, and was towed to Singapore by the Mohr. The China mail was forwarded by the French steamer. FRANCE. BOURSE, Dec. 27.—The market continues in the same completely inanimate state. Threes, for the Account, remain at 67f 20c. Railways equally dull. The following are the last quotations :- 41 per' per Cents ... 94 90 Credit 1 oncier llBO Do end month.... Belgian 4t 991 3 per Cents Do. end month 67 20 Roman Bank Shares 2885 I Austrian Credit Mobilier 716 25 Spanish Threes.... 49 25 Do. Account 717 50 Home Debt .. 47i RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1290 .. 1292 50 Northern New ditto _ Lyons and Mediterranean 1007 50 .. 1008 75 Geneva 360 .. 358 75 Southern .... 655 .. 657 50 Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian .. Lombard AUSTRIA AND MONTENEGRO. La Patrie has the following : " We yesterday announced, according to a letter from Ragusa, of the 17th December, that Luca Vucalovich, having ordered the reconstruction of the batteries destroyed by the Austrian troops in the Suttorina, a new Austrian intervention seemed imminent. It is, however, possible that such an eventuality will not be realised. The Consuls of the great Powers at Ragusa are said to have induced the Montenegrin Chief to renounce the reconstruction of those batteries which, it must be admitted, were erected on the ground declared neutral by treaties, and which, moreover, might easily have been turned against the corps darmee of Omar Pasha, and are of no consequence to the defen,ce o Montenegro." NOTTINGHAM ELECTION. NOTTINGHAM, FRIDAY. During the whole day there was the greatest excitement in the town. The exertions of the Earl of Lincoln at the nomination on the day previous, added to the rawness of the atmosphere, rendered his health much worse, and he was unable to use that energy to-day which is so requisite in a candidate at a warmly contested election. At the close of the poll, four o'clock, the numbers stood as follows : Clifton Lincoln 1,144 Majority Lord Lincoln left Nottingham early in the afternoon. His lordship's supporters complain that they found it dangerous to vote for his lordship through fear of the "roughs" who surrounded the polling-places. His lordship has issued the following address : " Gentlemen,—The election now being brought to a close, I beg to offer my most cordial and sincere thanks to those kind friends who have so generously given me their sup port on the present occasion, and shall ever feel deeply grateful to those gentlemen whose kind exertions have re lieved me from so many of those duties which properly devolved upon myself. I sincerely regret that the state of my health has prevented my making the acquaintance of many of my friends ; but I trust that from this time for ward, though I am not permitted to come amongst you as your representative, I may often meet you as a neighbour and a friend. Sir R. CLIFTON briefly addressed the elec' ors at the close of the poll, returning thanks for the honour they had con ferred upon him, and promising to do his best as their re presentative. THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES AND THE LATE PRINCE CONSORT.—The following notice to Australian colonists has been issued, being an extract from the minutes of the committee of the General Association for the Austra lian Colonies, held on the 27th of December :—" Resolved, —That the chairman be requested to call a public meeting of Australian and New Zealand colonists now resident in England, for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting an address of condolence o her _ .ajesty the Queen." In conformity with the above resolution, a meet ing of Australian. and New Zealand colonists has been called, to be held at the London Tavern, on Friday next, the 3d of January, at 12 o'clock at noon.