The Sun. — London, England, 1861-10-12 00:00:00

ALFRED MELLON'S BENEFIT, THIS EVENING. AND LAST NIGHT O} THE ,CONCERTS. THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. Mr. ALFRED MELON begs most respectfully to announce that his Benefit will take place This Evening, being the Last Night of the present series of Concerts. The Programme, which will be Miscellaneous, will com prise Overtures, Symphonies. Songs, Part Songs, Quadrill es , a Grand Operatic Selection, Polkas, Solos, Fantasias, &c., Vocalists for the occasion—Mdlle. ParePa, Mdlle. Florence Lancia, Madame Laura Baxter, Miss Julia Bleaden, Mdlle. Geo rgi, Mr. Donald King, M. Fontanier, and Mr. Lewis Thomas. Solo, Pianoforte, M. Silas. Commence at 8. Promenade, Is. Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON. ItO YAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. Under the management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. Wm. Harrison. Will OPEN for the Sixth Operatic Season on MONDAY, October 21st, when will be presented (first time) an entirely new Opera, by Howard Glover, to be entitled RUY BLAS. Full particulars in future advertisements. EA R,•RUYAI., T 74. HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. TiTIS EVF,WING-, the neriorrriftnoes will commence with THE BALANCE OF COMFORT. After which, a new Comedy, entitled T HE SOFT SEX Mr. C. Mathews, Mr. Buckstone , Mr. Compton, Mr. E.Villlers Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Wilkins, &c. With PAUL PRY MARRIE D AND SETTLED. Paul Pry (In a new position), Mr. C. Mathews. To conclude with THE CHRISTENING. Commence a , 7. CE S S'S THEATRE . -- It ° Y A IlleesseePanit I dl ' anager. Mr. A. Harris. THIS EVENING. JEANETTE'S WEDDING. Miss M. Harris and Mr. A. Widdicomb. Alter which, a hely and original comedy, in five acts, writ entitled PLATING WITH FIRE t ; ten by John Brougham , characters by Mr. John Brougham (his 13th appearance), Mr. Ryder, Mr. H. Widdicombe, Mr. G. Jordan (of the principal theatres of the United States, his 13th appearance in Eng lan lb Mies C. Lelc lercq, and Mrs. Weston. With THE GARIBALDI EXCURSIONISTS. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Manager—Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, A MIDSUMMER'S EVE. Alter which, at Eight o'clock, the new and success ful comedy of WOMAN; or, Love against the World. (Ammeters by Messrs. Walter Lacy, Addison, Herman Veen. J. Robins, Mrs. Charles Young, Mrs. Weston, Miss Murray, and Miss Lydia Thomson. To conclude with AN UNPROTECTED FEMALE, in which Miss Lydia Thompson will danee A New Volunteer Quick Step. Prioes is usual. Doors open at half-past 6, to oommenoe at 7. Box-office open daily from li till 5. Ew THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. Open for the Winter Season. THIS EVENING, MUSIC HATFI CHARMS. Messrs. D. Fisher, Romer, Warde, Misses K. Kelly and Laidlaw. Alter which (249th time), THE COLLEEN BAWN. Mr. D. 3ouckault, D. Fisher, Billington, S. Emery, Stephenson, C. Smith, Romer, Howard, Ward ; Mrs. Boucicault, Miss Woolgar, Mrs. Billington, and Mrs. H. Lewis. Toconclude with LOVE AND HUNGER. Messrs. Fisher, Emery, C. J. Smith, Mrs. H. Marston, and Miss K. Kelly. Doors men at half-past 6—Commence at 7. IANTERBU RY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. r. SAM COWELL every evening at Nine and a quarter tc Eleven. Also, Grand Selections from TROVATORE, TkAVIATA, NORMA, MARTHA, &c., By Miss Russell, Miss Ernst, Mr. Herbert, Signor Tivoli, Mr. Morley, and a powerful Chorus. The Comic department comprises Messrs. Harvey and French. " The Nerves "—Mr. Marshall—Mr. Wood and his talented Son—and Miss Harriet Coveney. Musical Director, Mr. Jonglimans. Admission—Hall, 6d.; Stalls and Balcony, is. 11 H E 0 X F O R D, 6, OXFORD-STREET. EVERY EVENING. SELECTIONS from Auber's New Comic Opera, "LA CIRCASSIEN - NE," by Miss Ernst, Messrs. Greene, H. Herbert, and the Company. And from Verdi's new Grand opera, "Simon Boccanegra," by Miss Russell, Messrs. C. Geville, Morley, Greene, and the Company. Full band and chorus. Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans. Varied Comic Entertainments by Mr. and Master Wood, Harvey and French (The Nerves), Mr. E. Morahan, and Mr.W. Randall. Hall, Bd. ; Balcony and Stalls, la ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY.—Morning, Bh. sm. —Afternoon, Bh. 46m. To-MORROW. -Morning, 9h. 30m.—Afternoon, 10h. 14m. THE WEATHER.-SuN OFFICE, OCTOBER 11, 1861. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 63—highest since noon yesterday. 57—lowest this morning and during the night. 6P—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.52 ; a fall of nearly half an inch. Wrzno—S.-Westerly--blowing fresh and squally. It has been very stormy all night, with dirty weather ; now fine, but cloudy. T VIENTY MINUTES PAST Two.—Storm of thunder, lightning, and rain. Weather very sultry all the forenoon. A m 4 lam" 4 } • 4111): f o . • •- • • • 4 • • - 1 " r Az-449k 4et THE SUN. LONDON, SATURDAY, OCT. 12, 1861. Another somewhat remarkable pamphlet has appeared in Paris. We have not yet seen it, but Gals'gnani tells us that it discusses political ques tions in a somewhat dogmatical tone; speaks of the friendly feelings of France towards Germany, and then declares that it will not be inconvenient now to publish a letter from the EMPEROR to King *WILLIAM, to which no date is affixed, but which must have followed shortly on the accession of the KING. The author of the pamphlet declares that " a durable peace may be now founded by the sin cere entry of Prussia into the 'Western alliance. To do so it is only necessary, Ist. To recognise the King of ITALY as France, England, &c., have done. 2. To vote with France and England for the union of the Roman Principalities in the present Con krences ; and 3. To contract with France a treaty of commerce as France has done with England. The author develops the three questions; and then, after examining all the influences which may weigh on Germany, he makes u3e of this some what singular phrase, French policy is like the Sphinx; happy are they who can divine it." The author, however, thinks himself qualified to be the CEDTPus to the Sphinx, for he afterwards declares that the sacred soil of the great nation (France) extends between the Alps, the Rhine, the Pyrenees, and the sea. To sum up, the author, under a form which dissembles nothing, offers to King WILLIAM the Crown of Germany in exchange for the Rhenish provinces ceded to France. The letter itsolf is, however, of course, the e.thief point of interest. Our Parisian contempo rary, indeed, declines to guarantee its authenticity; but either that supposition, or the contrary, are .alike perplexing. If the letter were furnished to the author, it implicates the Government with the contents of the whole pamphlet, the Rhine included. If the letter were surreptitiously ob tained the Government has the means to trace it ; or, at least, to punish severely the man who dared to publish a personal letter of the EM PEROR'S without leave. If, again, it were not genuine every Paris bookseller well knows the penalties to which he is liable for publishing false news. Dare any writer in Paris concoct a letter in the EMPEROR'S name? And if the impos lure were received from another, still the law could equally lay hold of the unfortunate author .and publisher; for it was their duty to have in quired before publishing it. Thus the chances of au thenticity are very strong, so far as the hazards of imposture can make them so. It is perhaps, however, less the contents of the leiter than the sanction which its association with the sentiments of the pamphlet seems to lend to the latter, which is the most serious point. The practical business of the letter is to announce to the King of PRUSSIA that the EMPEROR is devoted to peace and order, and therefore accepts with pleasure the position of mediator in the dispute between Denmark and Germany. Its avowed object is fully explained in the following paragraph— " F have therefore thought," writes the presumed imperial penman, "that I act as a loyal sovereign, 'who feels a real interest in your Crown, in accept ing from Denmark an amicable mediation in her dif '"ce with the Germanic Confederation. His Majesty the King of DENMARK is disposed to give all satisfaction compatible with his honour, which may c xmtent the Diet. I myself can guarantee his goodwill in this respect. Would it not be agreeable to your MAJESTY to take on your part the necessary steps for settling this difference pacifically ? And, besides, your MAJESTY must know better than any one how much a war undertaken in existing cir cumstances would be injurious to European inte rests, and principally to those of Germany. For my part, and I do not doubt such also is the design of your MAJESTY--I will oppose such a war by all means in my power. Such is likewise the intention of England. Let us therefore unite our efforts, and then nothing, as I haw every reason to 'lope, w ill trouble the peace of Europe, especially if, as you assured me at Baden, your MAJESTY has as great a desire as I have to maintain it. You will have, unlike me, the happiness of not having been obliged to purchase peace by two wars." All this would be sufficientl . mless—indeed, la it must be well for the Germans ot be aware, as the German fleet is not yet even on the stocks, that two great naval powers feel a decided interest in fair play towards Denmark. Th reamers of " Father land" will soon look in som other direction for a cry, if they find that th e i n t ity and independence of the little Scandi nav ian gdom is a serious ob ject with both France and England. But really, to send after the King of PRUSSIA an inti mation that all the territory between the two seas, the - Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Rhine belongs naturally to France, and that Prussia's motto must be " Germany free and one from the Rhine to the Oder" seems somewhat like helping his MAJESTY back with a kick as he quits the country. "The Rhine and the Vistula" was rather a rough gripe on receiving a guest—" The Emperor NAPOLEON and King WILLIAM" is a rather rougher dismissal. The month of promise for the American Federals, OCTOBER, has arrived. This month they were to cross their Jordan, the Potomac, and to-day we receive intelligence from New York, dated the FIRST OF OCTOBER ; and surely enough it seems as if the fulfilment of the promise had commenced. The information is very brief, but it is not unlikely to be very important. " The Confederates have evacuated Munson's Hill and other positions be fore Washington, which are now occupied by the Federal troops." On the reasons for the evacuation our military savans may speculate a good deal, but to us unprofessional men it would appear as if there could be but one reason, that they were unable to hold safely such advanced positions. We know now pretty well that on neither side of Washing ton can the Confederates cross the Potomac in any great force, and turn back upon the capital. We believe that from Acquia Creek on the south or south-western side of the city, to Harper's Ferry on the north-western side, the attempt, partly from the breadth of the river and deficiency of boats, and partly from the nature of its banks, not to mention the Federal pickets and forces, would be hopeless. Hence the only supposition left seems to be that the Confederates, after displaying their flag so long on a hill which overlooked the city, and having fortified it very strongly, now see that if M'CLELLAN's army moves forward they would find their centre too weak, and be in danger of being cut in two. We are not, however, to suppose that their retreat proves them weaker than before. On the contrary, they will only be so much better prepared for resist ance at the scene of their former triumph. Manassas and Bull's Run may be again their chosen ground. There they will be near their supplies, and the junction of the railways which proved to be of such service before. At the same time, the retreat of one side and the advance of the other will, for the mo ment, brighten the hopes of the North. It has a pleasant look, whether there be much in it or not. Another kind of advance—that of money by the banks—is doubtless equally pleasant to the Go vernment. The New York banks have taken up the second Federal loan of £10,000,000, and Mr. LINCOLN will, therefore, be at ease again a little while on the great point. The brighter aspect of affairs is, however, confined to Wall•street and Munson's•hill. In Missouri and Kentucky things remain as they were. In the latter State, despite its strong desire to preserve nenrality, both Federalists and Confederates are sending reinforcements to the troops they have there, and Kentucky, sorely against her will, must become a battle-field of the rival parties. And now that the conflict seems likely to become a fiercer one, England may review her course with entire satisfaction. We mean not only the action, or rather the decided inaction, of her Government, but the general sentiments of the English public. Unhappily, our principal morning contemporary, by its evident Southern leanings, would greatly mislead the Americans of either party. The Eng lish people, as the press generally and all the pub lic speaking show, does not lean to the South. Nor is there the slightest inclination, covertly, to make the best of their case. The universal feeling is— and there has been no change in that feeling—that the Southern cause is bad from beginning to end. The tariff of the North has been the only admitted grievance of the South, and to that tariff the South erns were consenting parties, and in face of their re sistance it could never have passed, But the South are, in the view of Englishmen, utterly wrong in their adoration of the Moloch of Slavery ; wrong in desiring to extend its curse over soil yet free; wrong in their shabby rebellion when fairly beaten at the ballot-box; wrong in having enjoyed "the spoils of office so long;" and then, when the turn of their political opponents came, meanly begrudging them their share; wrong in resorting to arms before they had tried what could be done peacefully in Con gress ; doubly wrong, because if not strong enough to elect a President, they at least balanced his sup porters in the Lower House, and had a clear ma jority in the Senate; wrong, because they were bound to wait and see whether a party with the re sponsibility of Government on its shoulders would not, for the sake of the Union, have conducted them selves with moderation. For these, and other reasons, the South, in the judgment of Englishmen, had not the shadow of an excuse for their secession. Their fundamental object is, in the English view, an infernal one, their steps to attain it, in their meanness and political turpitude only too worthy of their object—a thoroughly bad cause, defended by thoroughly bad means. But, unfortunately, the wickedness, meanness, and injustice of the South are not sufficient to glorify the Northern cause. Englishmen are com pelled to judge that if the Southern cause is ignoble and bad, the Northern one has little claim to be considered good and noble. En gland wishes it were otherwise. We should rejoice in the magnitude and real greatness of the American Union, if only it were not a greatness based on baseness ; and this is what the North desires. It has a vile Federal constitution—a constitution which has impregnated the whole of the thirty-four States with the lowest, the worst sentiments in regard to slavery. For that constitution, slavery and all, the North is fighting. It is useless to disguise it. We may be told that slavery is at the bottom of the struggle. It may be so. Brandy may be at the bottom of a drunken man's struggles with the water into which he has fallen, but his struggles are no proof of his determination to have no more to do with brandy; THE SUN, LONDO `, SATURDAY E VENING, OCTOBER 12, 1861. probably it will be the first thing he asks for when he gets out of the waves. It is pre cisely so with the North. Slavery has tumbled them into the waves of civil war ; but, should they be landed again in the old Union —the very first thing would be to secure the rights of slavehold.ers, and perhaps, by compromises, to pave the way for their return to power. Indeed, at this moment, were all the States reunited, the slaveholders would be omnipotent in the more powerful of the American Houses—the Senate• While, therefore, England cannot sympathise at all with the South, and cannot help sympathising somewhat with those who have no slaves actually among them; yet that sympathy is chilled, is ren dered painfully small, by the pro-slavery policy of the North. We look upon the Northerns, in fact, as moral cowards. They affirm that slavery is a crime, but want the courage to treat it as such. To this hour they reject the aid of the negro in the struggle ; they refuse to make it a struggle for liberty ; they declare in every way they can that it shall not be a Holy War ! Like the Eastern despots of old, they invite the slaveholders back to the Union, with the promise that they will give them anything they ask even to the half of their _Kingdom. Nor is this hyperbole. " Welcome, says Mr. LINCOLN, to half the United States—welcome to catch your slaves all over the other half—only turn back and honour us in the eyes of the world, by making us together its biggest empire !" A bad South and not much better North, is the fact which keeps the heart of England somewhat cold in re gard to the American Civil war. Let as hope the North will awake in time—let her proclaim justice to the coloured men, and she will have in Rug land an ally as enthusiastic as she could wish. Nothing could well be more admirably to the purpose than our Foreign Secretary's Letter in relation to the state of affairs in Mexico. The communication, we mean, published in our im pression of Thursday evening. Brief though it was, it said everything that really needed to be said, under the circumstances. It was the answer —as will have been remarked—vouchsafed by Earl RUSSELL to the Memorial recently presented to him on behalf of the commercial community. " You have described," says the noble lord to the memorialists, and his lordship is constrained to add, "truly, the evils which afflict Mexico." Lord RUSSELL then enumerates the chief of those evils, in the words here following—" the robbery and the bloodshed, the impunity of crime (meaning of its perpetrators!), and the absence of any controlling authority in what is called the Government." Before taking into account the prayer of the petition presented by the memorialists, the Foreign Secretary goes on very explicitly to re mark that—" Her MAJESTY'S Government have a right by treaty, and by all the laws which govern international relations, to require security for the persons and property of British subjects, and the I performance of specific engagements on the part of Mexico." Earl RUSSELL observes quite plainly thereupon—" Her Majesty's Government will exer cise this right." There it is, however, that the noble lord hastens at once and without any fur ther preamble to the particular request submitted to his consideration as Foreign Secretary by the mercantile memorialists, who are naturally enough so especially desirous of witnessing the re-esta blishment of order throughout Mexico. It mat ters little to them, of course, by what means this may be effected, so that it is effected. To that end—they frankly suggest the intervention, the armed intervention, of her Britannic MAJESTY'S Government. The mere suggestion affords Earl RUSSELL a very tempting opportunity for vindi cating the great principle of non-intervention now regulating the Foreign Policy not only of Eng land, but very generally the Great Powers of Christendom. And—grasping somewhat eagerly at this opportunity—most effectively does the noble lord avail himself of it. Having specified the particular right secured by treaty to this country in reference to the state of things in Mexico—the right, that is, of requiring the security there of British subjects and British property; and having, moreover, thereupon added, as we have seen, quite unmistakeably, " Her MAJESTY'S Government will exercise this right"—Earl RUSSELL immediately adds, " But—her MAJESTY'S Government cannot think it wise to interfere in the internal govern ment of Mexico. You seem to think," his lordship writes, "that a protecting force thrown into Mexico for the simple purpose of maintaining public tran quillity would succeed in attaining that object, and that even a small force might suffice for the pur pose. lam sorry to say that I think a very large force would be insufficient to restore public tran quillity." And he observes significantly, " This is a task which the Mexicans must accomplish for themselves." Advancing from particularities to generalities, the Foreign Secretary remarks at this part of his communication—" There are very few cases in which foreign interference can be benefi cial, and in those few cases there must be a large and numerous party in the country prepared to avail itself of foreign aid." That is unques tionably a sine qua non as a preliminary to any such interposition. And we can none of us be surprised to find Lord RUSSELL observing at this point—" I am concerned to say I see no proof of the existence of such a party in Mexico. Her MAJESTY'S Government, therefore," he writes, in conclusion, " must confine their action to the clear and legitimate purpose of demanding from the de facto Government of Mexico, however constituted, respect for the persons and property of British subjects, and the fulfilment of recorded obliga tions." It is a lesson altogether that the memo rialists have called down upon themselves. And it is one we can hardly imagine that they will be disposed either to forget or to resent. Looking at the deplorable state of things in the unfortunate land referred to, it is almost to be re gretted that the notion could not somehow have been realised—that pointed towards the re-estab lishment of order in Mexico under the auspices of Don JUAN DE BOURBON. If only his Royal High ness—it was thought by certain daydreamers—if only H.R.H. could be induced to consent to waive his claim to the crown now worn by Queen ISABELLA, and to accept the responsibility (either as Monarch or as Elective President) of re establishing order in Mexico—a land where anarchy alone has for so long reigned supreme ! Unhappily for those who in dulged in this pleasant anticipation, both for the preservation of tranquillity in Spain, and for the restoration of it to Mexico—unhappily for them and their cherished day-dream, Don JUAN himself was the one who evinced the most eager solicitude to dissipate it. Ho at least is not impressed with the wisdom of the old adage, declaring one bird in the hand to be worth two in the bush. Here was a tempting morsel enough proffered to his lips—but no, he is still snapping v in e m th l y e a the r e m A i l n a g s f o y r e t t m h e or j e u tempting o shadow these o poor exiled Princes in search—not like JAPHET, of a Father—not like CRUIRSRANR'S eccentric gentleman, of a Horse -,not like Cm but like ah! so many Wife—not like Dr. SY NTAX, of LEBS, of a the Picturesque — of those p oor li tt l e baubles —a Crown and Sceptre. Writes Don. JUAN, in answer to these rumours of his design to accept the Government of Mexico, either as King or President. " Allow me, since the channels which spread the report are closed to me, to publicly dis claim in your columns any thought or desire of the honour assigned me. _Heir of the Spanish throne by nay birthright, 1 hope yet to be Ring by the election of the people. But for me the throne of Mexico has no attractions. Ido not look upon myself as a party to the Plan de Y guala, whereby it was provided that a Spanish Prince should succeed to the power then lost to the mother country. I am unknown in Mexico, and have no adherents, and but few personal friends among any of the parties who divide this distracted country ; so that I could only hope to occupy its throne by the support of foreign bayonets. Such a course Would be utterly repugnant to my ideas, and nothing shall ever tempt me to gain power by the violation of that liberty of choice which I have myself invoked, and upon which I am content to rest my claim to the Spanish Crown." And he has very lofty notions, too, this exiled Prince, of the just source of Sovereignty ! "Tome it seems," he writes, " that the only true foundation for the grandeur of a Prince lies in the affection of his people. As the nominee of foreigners in Mexico, I should always be looked upon as an op pressor." The latter supposition we take to be a Spanish Prince, in on wholly one sense, being onbeeinrrgeeesoeunstially a Mexican. But Don JUAN has clearly got it into his head that his mission is plainly marked out for him by the finger of Destiny. "I am not," he writes, " a claimant to the Spanish throne from personal am bition, but from the deep conviction that, through my exertions and those of the Liberal party, my country may yet be raised to the position she should occupy among the free nations of Europe." Nay—after expatiating upon the shortcomings of the Government of Queen ISABELLA, and disclaim ing with scorn the notion that he himself is no better than a " mischievous intriguer"—Don JUAN concludes with this emphatic declaration :—"I may, or may not, become King of the Spaniards ; I may die in an exile embittered by the contrast, for ever present to my mind, between the freedom and happiness of your country and the oppression and misgovernment of my own ; but be assured of one thing—that my life is devoted to the work for which I believe myself designed." Mexico must look elsewhere clearly, therefore, than to Don JUAN, or to English intervention, for extrica tion from her present anarchical difficulties. She must look for this—as Earl RUSSELL intimates—in one word, to Herself ! STRAND THEATRE. A comic drama, from the pen of Mr. A. C. Troughton, was produced at this theatre last night, under the title of " Short and Sweet." The piece can scarcely be said to be new, the story being manifestly taken from a farce called " How do you Manage It ?" which was brought out at the Adelphi some years ago. The working out of the plot gives rise to many comic situations to which the actors do full justice. Mr. J. Clarke's " make-up" as the corpulent, consequential little City man, who, in the plenitude of his selfishness, exacts perpetual homage from his wife, is ex cellent, and he plays the part particularly well. Mr. J. Rogers, as the kind, vacillating husband, who is unconsci ously ruled, yet likes to have it thought that he rules, is at times rather too clamorous and demonstrative, but he often acts with vigour and originality, and, as usual, rarely fails to win the favour of his audience. Miss Button, as Mrs. Sweet, acts with an ease, spirit, and vivacity, which render her performance exceedingly attractive. The piece was quite successful. Byron's burlesque of " Esmerelda" nightly attracts an overflowing audience. ATIBEWS "LA CIRCASSIENNE" AT THE OXFORD MUSIC HALL. In the fulness of years, when the last leaves of his spark ling genius might be expected to have fallen, and the well spring of his imagination to be dried up, the fascinating French composer, Auber, at 80 years of age, produced one of those glittering operas of which his own, Era Diavalo, is the best known, and will be, perhaps, the most enduring type, "La Circassienne," a new comic opera by Auber, has, as yet (owing, we suppose, to the habitual lethargy in English operatic circles), no place, or announced place, on our lyric boards ; and, but for the restless enterprise which marks the management of the Oxford Music Hall, to the English public this sparkling work might long remain a dead letter. It does not argue much for the systematic cultivation of music in this country, that our great lyric establishments should be so constantly forestalled in the production of what is new in music. A flagrant instance of this neglect on the part of our accepted teachers occurred in the production at this, and the Canterbury Hall, of Verdi's "Un ballo en Maschera," and till late, of the same composer, " Simon Boccanegra," both works of great merit, in which the brilliant vocalisation of Miss Russell, the prima donna, receives nightly ovations. In these two cases the music hall was and is in advance of the opera houses. The most recent instance of superior activity in Mr. Morton's musical director, M. Jonghmans, is apparent in the production of "La Circassienne." The rich and sparkling vein of workmelod f y r o r m u nn thein g selection, through the show that opera, the w h f ofer fruitful i t a fn judge nline o is f the not yet worked out, while the choral and instrumental writing exhibits much of that quaint contrast and felicity of setting which is found in Auber's operas. As we heard the p r i n n e c n i p r y a 1 H p a e r r b t s e r w t r a e n d d i s A t r r b . ut ed Greene.be tween 'er a ' s were the solos, the first p ra i se ope Excellent,r a i‘ci Miss e s l however,ec Ernst,t io n ti M. should be awarded to the ensemble, in which we in clude the accompanying band, and Mr. E. L. Rime's masterly aid at the pianoforte. The most strik ing feature in these representations is the com pleteness attained by the artists, as a body, acting in combination to supply the necessary framework of choral and concerted music. Effects which have hitherto only been expected from the trained voices of our best operatic t ol gr oot a i t o i n fyi r n e g oei fi v n e i d sh am a p n l d o the eo d ss ing air, which falls to ac justicephloor ib u n s o f. s r o a mT r ehtehe principalsn producedgersw. airs hThe e m Miss Ernst—a difficult composition in the bravura style— was rendered by that artiste with admirable precision. Miss Ernst possesses a beautiful soprano voice, clear as a bell, and very flexible. Mr. H. Herbert, the tenor, in two airs, commencing "0, Lady mine," and " Fearless I'd brave, dear maid, for thee, " sang with force and energy ; and Mr. Greene, the bass, powerfully, if somewhat ruggedly, sang the music assigned to the Sultan. One word of commendation also to Miss Emmerson and Miss Tyrrell, for the spirited manner in which they sang the snatches of music given to Neila and Zoloe, the con tending houris for Sultanic honours. The selection reflects credit on the indefatigable Mr. Jonghmans, who might have rested on the laurels gained by the production of " Simon Boccanegra," but who was quickly in the field with this brilliant work of Auber's. Madame Enderssohn is rapidly engratiating herself with the audiences at this magnificent hall. Mr. W. M. Balfe has just composed two ballads expressly for " The Oxford," the plaintive words of which are by M r . R. M‘Murray. Tho melody of " The Maid and her Moorish Knight" is in Mr. Balfe's best style, and will prove a "hit." Now and then Mr. Balfe does full justice to him self, and he has put out his strength on this ballad. Madame Enderssohn sings it with the utmost grace and expression. His Excellency the Italian Minister leaves town to-day on a visit to Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, at Broadlands. The Duke of St. Albans has taken his departure from the St, George's Hotel. The Earl of Harrowby arrived at his residence in Grosvenor-square last evening for a few days. The Countess of Glengall has taken a mansion in Grosvenor-square, late the residence of Lord Poltimore. Viscount Palmerston has arrived at his seat, Broadlands, Hants, from Weymouth, where the noble Pre mier and her ladyship intend to receive a succession of visitors during the autumn. _ _ _ Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Redoliffe are on a tour of visits in the north of England. Viscount Lismore has taken the Countess of Glengall's residence in Grosvenor-street for a term of years. Viscount Falkland has left the St. ',George's Count Henry Ziehy has left Fenton's Hotel for PEsth. Sir George and Lady Jervis have left the St. George's Hotel. The Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., and Mrs. Cowper leave town to-day on a visit to Viscount and Vis countess Palmerston at Broadlands. Mr. Lefroy, Q.C., son of the Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, Ireland, has received the appointment of Treasurer to the Board of Irish Ecclesiastical Commis sioners, the salary of which is ZOO a year. DEATH OF THE MARCHIONESS DOWAGER CONYNGHAM. — The Marchioness Dowager Conyngham died yesterday, at Bifrons, the family seat near Canterbury, at the venerable ago of 92. Lady Conyngham was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Denison, of Denbies, in the county of Surrey. Up to the age of 27 Miss Denison resided with her father, then a wealthy merchant and banker, carrying on business in St. Mary-axe. Here the rich and beautiful heiress was won and wedded, in 1794, by the Hon. Henry Burton, then a captain 28 years old, and eldest son of tho fortunate Francis Pierpoint Burton, of Buncraggy, who succeeded, through his mother, after the death of her two brothers, to the barony and estates of the old Conynghams, won at the battle of the Boyne by Sir Albert Conyngham, Lieut.-General of the Ordnance of Ireland ; and aggrandised by many forfeitures and marriages subsequently. Captain Burton carried off his wife to Ireland, and only revisited England in his 42d year, to kiss hands, in 1808, on his pro motion to major-generalship. On succeeding to his father's title and estates, his lordship so industriously endeavoured to improve the condition of the latter that he was justly regarded as one of the benefactors of his country, and a visit to his estato at Slane, on the Banks of the Boyne, is recorded by Mr. Parkinson, in his "Experiences of Agri culture," in the same terms as a visit to Holkham would have been chronicled in the days of Mr. Coke. The Barony of Conyngham was increased to an earldom, as a reward for the spirited conduct of his lordship's father, which led to a reciprocity of trade between Ireland and England. Upon the conclusion of the war with France, George IV., as is well known, made a visit to Ireland, and was hospitably received and entertained at Slane Castle. Here probably commenced that more intimate acquaintance between his Majesty and the MarquisConygnham and his family which induced the King, upon his return to England, to invite the whole family to court, and, after they had accepted the invitation, to retain them in his household. In 1816 his lordship was created Viscount Slane (the restoration of an ancient title forfeited in the Rebellion), Earl of Mount charles, and Marquis Conyngham ; and in 1821 he was en rolled in the British peerage as Baron Minster, of Minster Abbey, in the county of Kent. The Marchioness was left a widow in 1832, and has survived to see both her sons peers of the realm—the one in succession to his father ; the second, Alfred Denison, as the heir to her father's great fortune and estates, with the title of Baron Londesborough, whose two daughters, with their cousin, Lady Cecilia Conyngham, all granddaughters of the Marchioness, were, it will be remembered, married on the same day a few months since. MEXICO.—A letter from Paris says : —" It seems now beyond doubt that O'Donnell has been overruled, or has changed his mind, and that there will be a common action between France and Spain, and I suppose with England, in the affairs of Mexico. A rumour which cir culates to-day seems to indicate at the same time that tli interference is not to be confined to a mere protection of nationals. The said rumour speaks of the idea put for ward by the Emperor Napoleon of finishing the Italian question, by getting Francis 11. made King of Mexico. Se non e vero e ben trovato, one might say. The question is only whether the Mexicans would be very thankful for the gift, which would be almost worse than the evil from which they suffer at present. In the meantime orders have been given to arm the squadron destined for Mexico with rifled guns. j THE IRON TRADE.—The quarterly meeting of ironmasters of Birmingham was held on Thursday. The amount of business done was not large, but it was an im provement on last quarter-day ; prices were reported firmer for all descriptions of finished iron, and there was evidently a disposition to take a cheerful tview as to the future, on what grounds were not stated, but such is almost invariably the case in the iron trade when there is not a feeling of utter despondency. For pig-iron there is a better demand ; such of the pigmasters as undersold mine pig last quarter-day obtained the top prices on Thursday ; beyond that there was no advance.—Birmingham Daily Post, CHARGE OF LIBEL AGAINST A PRIEST.—A case involving a serious charge against a Roman Catholic priest was heard at the Armagh Petty Sessions yesterday, before a full bench of magistrates. The complainant was Mr. William Jones Armstrong, J.P., and the defendant the Rev. John Quin, R.C. curate of Middletown. The sum mons, which was very voluminous, and set out all the matters complained of, alleged that the defendant published in the .Dundalk Democrat a false, scandalous, malicious, and defamatory libel, reflecting on the complainant in his character of a resident landlord as well as of a justice of the peace. Informations were taken against the accused, and the case has been returned for trial at the assizes. THE NAVIGATION OF THE TYNE.—SHIELDS, OCt. 11.—The River Tyne Improvement Commissioners, who possess the largest river-dredging machine in the world, have determined to purchase another machine of a similar size to be ready for work in 12 months. At a meeting held yes terday at Newcastle, it was also resolved that Bill and Friar's Goose Points below that town should be removed, and that the coal trade, the Duke of Northumberland, and the Blyth and Tyne Railway Company be communicated with, and a conference be held, if possible, with a view to ascertain what quantity of coal would be guaranteed for shipment and the amount of capital the coalowners were prepared to advance towards the construction of a deck at the Lew Lights at the mouth of the Tyne. Mr. Walker, the engineer of the piers, had laid down three sets of lines for the completion of those immense marine works, one terminating the piers in twenty-one feet of water, at a cost of £550,000; a second finishing the piers in thirty feet at low water, at an expense of £660,000; and a third, extend.- ing the piers into thirty-six feet of water, virtually making the Tyne a harbour of refuge, at a cost of £BOO,OOO. The pier extension scheme has been deferred for further exa mination, FRENCH AND GERMAN WOMEN.—The Figaro has the following " parallel" between German and French ladies :—" The French woman dresses ; the German covers herself. The German walks; the Parisienne undulates. German women are either ugly or pretty ; Parisiennes charming ; none of them are ugly, neither are any of them beautiful. Whether excited or indifferent, the aspect of the German is always frank and honest. What delicious abysses are the !eyes of a Parisienne 1 As said Count de Gramont—' Her eyes have always the air of doing some thing more than merely looking at you.' The German says yes or no. With the Parisienne it is never either quite yes or altogether no. The German will wait for you under the tree 10 years; the Parisienne 10 minutes. The Parisienne is, above all, knowing; the German, good. The German is content with the admiration of one; the French woman likes to be admired by all, and would rather renounce the admiration of her lover than of the public. The Parisienne is an artist, the German a woman. Moral—lt is best to love in France, but to marry in Germany." The following extraordinary fact is mentioned in a letter from Marseilles, dated the 7th inst,, and addressed to the Messager du )Efidi, published at Montpellier : " Much has been said at Genoa of an event which occurred at the island of Elba. A large ship, carrying the Italian colours, was forced by bad weather to seek shelter in the roads of Porto Langone. The ship was immediately visited by a custom-house officer. The captain, having been asked the usual questions regarding his cargo, replied that it con sisted of provisions. The officer, observing something sus picious both in the captain's manner and in the appearance of the ship, commenced a strict search, which led to the dis covery that the cargo consisted of warlike stores. The officer declared the ship to be under seizure. The captain finding that his cargo was lost and his ship compromised, endeavoured to bribe the Custom-house officer by slipping a number of gold coins into his hand, which the functionary rejected with indignation. The officer then quitted the ship, and was proceeding towards the shore in the boat which brought him, when he was fired at from the ship, but fortunately without effect. At the noise of the firing the Coastguard came to the assistance of the officer and took possession of the ship, of which the captain was endeavour ing to get out to sea. The crew were handcuffed and lodged in the prisons of Leghorn. Among the versions which are circulated with respect to the destination of the captured vessel, the most probable is that which asserts that the arms and ammunition were intended for the insurgents in Calabria," NEW ROAD BETWEEN FRANCE AND ITALY.— The And de l'Ordre of Digne says :—" Averse as we are to excite premature hopes, we cannot resist the desire of making our countrymen acquainted with a vast and im portant project, the realisation of which would open an un expected future to the Basses-Alpes. It is proposed to place , our department, which at present leads nowhere, in com munication with the now kingdom of Italy, by prolonging the imperial road, No. 100, as far as Coni. The tunnel through Mount Cenis will connect Upper Italy with the north of France and north-western Europe ; the prolonging of the abovementioned road would form a line of communi cation between all Italy, the centre and South of France, and Spain. The remark has been often made that our department wants nothing but convenient issues in order to derive great advantages from its natural wealth." LAUNCH OF THE STEAMSHIP CHlNA.—Yesterday afternoon Messrs. Napier and Sons launched from their building-yard at Govan the finest screw steamer which the Clyde has yet produced. This vessel, which is named the China, is intended as a complement to those fine vessels which are already on the Cunard line. The launch was most successfully completed, notwithstanding the disagree able character of the weather. The China is a ship of 2,600 tons burden. She is to be fitted with oscillating engines of 550 nominal horse-power and patent surface condensers, in addition to the ordinary condensers. The Cunard Com pany have always exhibited the greatest caution, combined with the highest enterprise, in constructing the vessels intended for their line; and in the present case we have an instance of a vessel fitted up with all the most recent im provements, and yet to provide for the smallest chance of an accident—having on board not only the condensers on the new system, which has generally been adopted to the discarding of the old plan, but those also founded on the former system. This is only an additional proof to the many which have already been given of the groat care and attention which the Cunard Company have always paid to the building of their famous lino of steamers. The fol lowing are the dimensions of the China :—Length of keel and fore-rake, 322 ft. ; breadth (moulded), 40ft. ; depth (moulded), 20ft. ; and extreme length, 31611.—Wasg 021) Herald, Oct L A ►ir .E rr N E S. FLORENCE, OCT. 11, EVENING. The Nazione of to-day publishes a letter from Rome, dated the Bth inst., which states that the enrolments for the brigandage in the Neapolitan provinces have recommenced in that city. It was rumoured that the brigands would execute a plan of attack at several points in the Southern provinces. The Bourbon Committees at Marseilles and Trieste are said to be displaying great activity. BERLIN, OcT. 12. The Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia paid a 'risit yesterday to Lord ClarendOn at the Royal Hotel, where his lordship, Lady Clarendon, and two daughters are now staying. NAPLES, OCT. 11. General Cialdini has definitively resigned the lieutenancy of Naples. He will leave Naples in the latter part of this month. The command of the forces in the Neapolitan provinces has been offered to General Della Marmora. ST. PETERSBURG, OCT. 11. According to the latest news received here, the state of things in China remains unchanged. Pekin continues tranquil. Prince Kong governs the empire with the title of regent. PESTH, OCT. 11. The official Gazette of to-day says : " A favourable solution of the question of the stamp duty may be expected. " The report that the committees of the Comitats would be re-established is unfounded." CONSTANTINOPLE, OCT. 10. The conferences on the union of the Danubian Principalities have been suspended, and the repre sentatives of the European Powers have asked for instructions from their Governments. The Servian Envoy has left Constantinople. He has failed in his negotiations with the Porte. Fresh reinforcements have been sent to Omar Pasha. There is a rumour that Mehemet Ali will defini tively become Seraskier, and his son Ethem, Capitan Pasha. Riza Pasha is still in Constantinople, and is said to be suffering from quinsy. Mehemet Kiprisli Pasha has set out, for his Pashalic. SOUTHAMPTON, OCT. 12. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Euxine, sailing' to-day, takes out, for Bombay—bar silver, £106,430 ; sovereigns, £13,100; pearls, beads , jewellery, &c., £300; and for Alexandria—sove reigns, £15,500; watches, &c., £165, FRANCE. PARIS, OCT. 11. A Paris letter in the Journal de Rouen says:— " The Emperor yesterday signed at Compeigne the decree allowing 200,000 f. to Marshal de Mac Mahon for the expenses of his mission to Bcenigs berg. To give an idea of the grand display the Marshal will make on this occasion, it will suffice to see at Binder's the four carriages he will take with him. The finest, which was used at the coro nation of the Emperor of Russia, has had 20,000 f. expended on it in repairs." The Imperial yacht Jerome Napoleon arrived at Havre on Thursday, with Prince Napoleon and the Princess Clotilde on board. In the afternoon the Prince received the Military Commandant of Havre and other official personages. BANK OF FRANCE,---The following is the account for the month ending Thursday, Oct 10 : ASSETS. Cash and ingots .. Cash at the branch-banks .. F. C. .. 80,089,354 12 .. 224,671,874 -- 792,193 28 Bills duo to be paid to-day.. .. Bills becoming due in Paris, of which 79,273,250 f. Bc. are from the branch banks .. 279,927,065 ,36 Bills in the branch-banks 299,908,271 Advances on coin and ingots .. 27,151,918 15 Do. in the branch-•banks .. 6,509,600 Do. on French securities .. 19,664,700 Do. in the branch-banks .. 9,377,500 Do. on railway shares and bonds .. 34,974,600 Do. in the branch-banks .. 21,403,650 Do. on Credit Foncier Bonds .. 534,400 Do. in the branch-banks 186,800 Do. to State by treaty, 1848 30,000,000 Rentes of the reserve-fund .. 12,980,750 14 Rentes, disposable funds .. 26,946,547 93 Rentes immobilised (law of June, 1857) .. 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank .. .. 4,000,000 Real property of branch-banks .. 6,012,216 Expenses of administration .. .. 1,364,068 78 Sundries .. 27,420,306 94 1,210,915,815 70 LIABILITIES. Capital New Capital Reserve-fund New Reserve Reserve-immobiliere Profits to be added to Capital (Art. 8 of law June 9, 1857) .. •• •• Notep to bearer in circulation in Paris and the branch-banks • • Do. to order (Post-bills) Bills payable at sight .. Acc. cur. of Treasury Creditor .. Various accounts current • • 91,250,000 - .. 91,250,000 • 12,980,750 14 .. 9,125,000 • 4,000,000 - 2,316,503 57 .. 766,439,725 --- .. 5,051,031 15 .. 5,038,185 - .. 57,568,648 19 .. 117,927,124 14 .. 27,306,118 .- .. 1,259,376 75 .. 3,335,817 11 .. 10,434,544 76 .. 1,936,567 58 .. 3,936,424 31 .. .. Do. branch-banks • • • • Dividends to be paid • • . . Arrears of values deposited • . Discount, interest, and expenses .. Re-discounts of the last half-year Sundries .. .. - 1,210,815,815 70 It appears from those returns that the metallic reserve has declined 81k millions, of which 9 1 are in Paris, and 711 in the 'branch banks. On the other hand, the discount accommodation shows an augmentation of 73/ millions, of which 441 are in the Paris establishment, and 28/ in the provinces. Advances in gold and silver have fallen off 11 millions in Paris, and I of a million in the depart ments. Advances on rente and railway securities present very little difference. The item of dis posable rente gives a decline of 274 millions. On the side of the liabilities the notes in circulation have augmented 441 millions. The account current of the Treasury has fallen off 62/ millions. Other accounts current have increased 5-1 millions in Paris, and diminished 41 millions in the provinces. The whole amount of the metallic reserve at the present moment is 3044 millions, to 7741 millions of notes in circulation. BOURSE, Oct. 11.—The Bank returns, although not very satisfactory, are rather more favourable than had been expected, and that kind of negative satisfaction has given firmness, without, however, adding anything in the shape of animation to the market. Threes are now at 68f. 40c. Railways heavy. The following are the last quotations :- 4t per per Cents ... 95 90 Credit Fonder ll9O Do. end month.... 96 Belgian 4i — 3 per Cents Do. end month 6B 40 Roman Bank Shares 2915 Austrian Credit Mobilier.... 723 75 Spanish Threes 4Ba Do. Account 725 Home Debt RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern New ditto 905 .. 907 50 Lyons and Mediterranean 1033 75 .. 1035 Geneva 345 .. 346 25 Southern 647 50 .. 648 75 Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard 530 .. 528 75 T URKEY. The Levant Herald says :—" The Government has at length taken measures to compel payment of th 3 arrears due by the tax farmers to the Trea sury, the amount of which is very considerable. During the past week, we are informed, the Grand Vizier has ordered the arrest of two of the most obstinate of these defaulters—Messrs. Missak and Gelgelogiu—who will be compelled to pay up be fore regaining their liberty; and similar rigour will beemployed Nvith others of the fiscal fraternity, whose reign of oppression over the peasants, and of fraud on the Government, is now fast verging to its close all over the empire." DENMARK. The Dagbladt publishes a long article on the popular subscriptions in the several States of Ger many towards a German fleet. The Danish journal thinks there is not much reason to apprehend the creation of a German naval force, but that Prussia might increase her strength in this direction. Denmark must, therefore, bring her fleet up to such a point of efficiency as to be prepared for any movement that Prussia may attempt. AMERICA. NEW YORK, OCT. 1. (Per Kangaroo, by Telegraph to Cape Race via Queenstown.) The Confederates have evacuated Munson's Hill, and other positions before Washington, which are now occupied by the Federal troops. The New York banks have taken up the second 50 millions of the Federal Loan. Affairs remain unchanged in Missouri. In Ken tucky both parties are receiving reinforcements. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Money abundant. Exchange on London, 1071. Stocks dull. New York Central, 73! ; Illinois, 65i; Erie, 251. Provisions steady. The Niagara passed Cape Race on the 2d inst. LETTER .FROM THE EMPEROR NAPO LEON TO THE 11N9 OF P.RUASSIA. An anonymous pamphlet, which will be published in Paris in a day or two, under the title of " The Emperor Napoleon and King William," contains the following letter, alleged to have been addressed by the Emperor of the French to the King of Prussia after the interview at Baden : The interest which I take in the tranquillity and well being of Germany and of the states of your Majesty in par ticular, not less than my desire, w hich is well known to you, to maintain in Europe a durable peace, leads me to address myself directly to your Majesty, without the medium of diplomacy, in order that you may be convinced that I am actuated by personal conviction, and that our mutual posi tions may be defined frankly and without arriere pensee. After the interview which I had with you at Baden, and the declaration which I unhesitatingly gave, your Majesty has been able to know my sentiments as to Germany and the line of conduct which I purpose myself to follow. That declaration includes all my thoughts, and I persist in it, Your Majesty may make such use of it as you may deem fit, and even give it to the world. My internal and external policy have been guided by the same spirit. Your Majesty knows that I did not abandon until the last moment, and before public opinion, the hope of making the King of Naples listen to reason, at the risk of prolonging in Italy civil war. Now when the Sardinian Government shall be consolidated, the spirit of disorder will have lost its rampart. This ques t tion once closed, the peace of Europe will be established upon solid bases which it never before had. France has not the spirit of conquest—it has the sentiment of honour and of its own dignity. I have as much as possible given satisfaction to its interests, and the voluntary and peace ful annexation of Savoy has put an end to an abnormal humiliation which could not but trouble the European harmony. I repeat to your Majesty my sole desire is to preserve peace as much as possible. It is with this object that I now address myself to your Majesty. A general anxiety exists in Europe—it is gaining strength every day. Germany especially tends, in spite of herself, to throw into Europe the apple of discord. It is to your Majesty that belongs the glorious honour of leading this noble nation to its true destinies, and of being the arbiter of the German nation. I am ready to take all measures which may be agreeable to your Majesty, and which may aid the alliance between two of our great peoples. But prudence is an imperious duty, especially in present circum stances; and your Majesty has too much wisdom not to take the precautions which a position so extreme necessi tates. I have, then, believed that I was acting as a loyal sove reign, who takes a true interest in your crown, in accept ing from Denmark a friendly mediation in its dispute with the Germanic Confederation. His Majesty the King of Den mark is ready to give every satisfaction compatible with his honour which may content the Diet. For my part, I will guarantee his good faith in this respect, Would it not be convenient to your Majesty to take on your part tho necessary steps that this dispute may be perfectly settled ? And as to the rest, your Majesty rust know better than any one how injurious a war, under such circumstances, would be to European interests, and particularly to the interests of Germany. For my part, and Ido not doubt that this is also your Majesty's purpose, I shall oppose such a war with all the means in my power. Let us, then, unite our efforts, and nothing, I have every reason to hope, will trouble the peace of Europe, especially if, as you assured me at Baden, your Majesty has as ardent a desire as myself to maintain it. You will enjoy, unlike myself, the happiness of not having been obliged to purchase peace by two wars. According to the pamphlet which is responsible for the above document, the letter was followed by excellent results, the dangers by which Europe was then threatened having been removed. The author adds that it will be easy now to esta blish a durable peace by the sincere and complete entry of Prussia into the western alliance. It will be only necessary for her to recognise the kingdom of Italy, to vote with France and Eng land for the union of the Danubian Principalities, and to conclude with France a treaty of commerce. The writer, however, does not really stop here; he claims for France all the territory comprised between the two seas, the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Rhine; and he lays it down as a principle that Prussia will not be really strong until she has in scribed on her flag, " Germany Free and One from the Rhine to the Oder." France will not claim, however, all she believes her due, except in ex change for services first rendered. MR. E. BAINES ON THE CHURCH-RATE QUESTION. At the meeting of the Congregational Union at Birmingham, on Wednesday, Mr. Baines observed that during the last session of Parliament an appa rent triumph had been obtained in favour of the pre sent law of church rates, but the worst thing that could have been done for the Church of England was, in his opinion, to maintain that law, whieh he contended was her weakness and not her strength —her dishonour and' not her glory. But although a triumph was thus obtained, yet so far as the essen tial principles for which Nonconformists contended were concerned, the latter had obtained a complete triumph. By committees, both of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it had been dis tinctly admitted that Nonconformists ought not to pay church-rates, and the same admission had been made by every section of the church herself. Those ) high in the church, represented by Sir Page Wood —those low in the church, represented by Sir George Grey—those represented by Sir Robert Cecil, on the Tory side of the house, and many other representatives of other sections—all had ad mitted that the tax was unjust upon Dissenters, and that Dissenters must in some way or other be exempted from it. The great reason last session in favour of maintaining the law was, that the Dissen ters did not now object to the law for conscience sake, but desired that it might be abolished as a step towards the destruction of the Church, and their opponents quoted some of those p f a s t A s h a es g i fr e o s br o t hd h iy a m, t who ehhl afo,d;,chbeserreeennvvpvveprroeistettdwe ntoubgcyrhosuuornmedhes m o a n nedm w Sb h te i a c rts h eo. he opposed church rates—first of all, on the ground of views of doctrine and church govern ment; and next, on the ground of practical griev ances of which dissenters complained, it would not abestaepstep towards s rdthe its salvation . saivation. destruction yfrue o , f th th ey e C w h o u u r l c d h t , h b e u n t deal but theyith t he w s u e u p l a a ra h t a io v n e o fe f w t h er e e C t h h u e r r c h fronthhaevestto ato, b griev ances ; and he would say to the wise members of the Church that if they repealed the practical griev ances to meet and more friends to support them. In no just sense did the dissenters wish to destroy the Church of England ; they did not wish to destroy her but to emancipate her. They wished to de stroy her connection with the State, but not to destroy the Church herself. They did not wish to interfere with her clergy, her creeds, or her ser vices; but only to relieve her from her bonds, and do justice to themselves. But from what he had already said, it was not to be supposed that he would shrink from avowing : both in parliament and out of it, his distinct opinion that the Church s o ti c g r i h p t t u n r a o l t a t n o d b eh historical e e a c l t e g d r o w u i n t h the d s,on State. On grounds of reason and of justice, he held that that separation should take place; and he trusted that he and all true Nonconformists would maintain that standing with firmness, with dignity, and in a Christian spirit. The Emperor of China, who has just died, Hien-Fund, wasborn in 1831, and succeeded in February, 1850, the Emperor Tao-Kouaog. The death of the Em peror cannot fail, it is thought, to improve the relations of France with the Celestial Empire, the successor of the de ceased Sovereign being, it is believed, Prince Kong, the negotiator of the last troaty of Nu*.